Filmmuseum rediscovers lost film starring Valentino

Recently Nederlands Filmmuseum rediscovered a film made in 1922 that was presumed lost: Beyond the Rocks directed by Sam Wood. For almost 75 years, film historians have been searching for this film. Beyond the Rocks is the only film that stars the two Hollywood icons Rudolph Valentino and Gloria Swanson. The film is currently being restored and will be screened during the Filmmuseum Biennial in April 2005.

It looked as if Beyond the Rocks had disappeared without trace. All that remained of the film was a one-minute fragment. This piece of film has been in the Filmmuseum's collection since 1976. So, while cataloguing over two thousand film cans donated by a film collector, it was a great surprise to the museum staff when they chanced upon a reel of Beyond the Rocks. In the months that followed, the Filmmuseum found and identified all the missing reels of the film. As a result, this famous silent film can finally be restored to its full splendour.

For almost 75 years, film historians and archivists have been searching for a print of Beyond the Rocks, a classic melodrama about an impossible love. It is the only film from the silent-film period (1895 - 1928) that stars the two Hollywood icons Rudolph Valentino and Gloria Swanson. This is why Beyond the Rocks represents a truly unique moment in film history.

The restored print of Sam Wood's classic will be screened during the second edition of the Filmmuseum Biennial which will take place from 6 to 10 April 2005 in Amsterdam. A new score will be composed for this world première of the restored version of Beyond the Rocks or Gouden Boeien (Golden Shackles, the title under which the film was once released in The Netherlands).

International Film Festival Rotterdam

CineMart and Hubert Bals Fund linked titles selected for Cannes 2004

Eight films linked to either or both IFFR's Hubert Bals Fund and CineMart have made it into the various Cannes 2004 programmes. This Cannes edition seven CineMart Projects have been selected and four films supported by the Hubert Bals Fund. Rotterdam supported films in Official Competition are LA NINA SANTA by Lucrecia Martel, TROPICAL MALADY by Apichatpong Weerasethakul and NOBODY KNOWS by Kore-Eda Hirokazu. The International Film Festival Rotterdam congratulates all involved with their Cannes 2004 selections.

A remarkably high number of filmmakers now appearing in Cannes have previously screened their films or made their feature débuts in Rotterdam.

Korean filmmaker Hong Sang-soo who is competing with WOMAN IS THE FUTURE OF MAN, won a VPRO Tiger Award for his 1997 Rotterdam Competition début feature THE DAY A PIG FELL INTO THE WELL. IFFR 2000 presented Japanese helmer Oshii Mamoru (now competing with INNOCENCE) as 'Filmmaker in Focus' screening some of his anime features. Thai filmmaker Apichatpong Weerasethakul's début feature MYSTERIOUS OBJECT AT NOON world premiered in the Hubert Bals Fund programme of IFFR 2000.
Uruguayan filmmakers Rebella and Stoll's début feature 25 WATTS was selected for the IFFR 2001 VPRO Tiger Awards Competition and won a VPRO Tiger Award. Ishii Katsuhito, now opening the Directors' Fortnight with THE TASTE OF TEA, brought his fiction feature début SHARK SKIN MAN AND PEACH HIP GIRL to Rotterdam to make its European bow.

The 34th International Film Festival Rotterdam takes places January 26 - February 6, 2005; the 22nd CineMart takes places January 30 - February 3, 2005. IFFR's Hubert Bals Fund provides support up to a yearly total of nearly 1 million Euro for script development, post production or distribution. HBF supported films that earned worldwide acclaim were, among others, MUNDO GRÚA (CRANE WORLD) by Pablo Trapero, 25 WATTS by Juan Pablo Rebella and Pablo Stoll, JAPÓN by Carlos Reygadas, DIVINE INTERVENTION by Elia Suleiman, UZAK by Nuri Bilge Ceylan, OSAMA by Siddiq Barmak and SILENT WATERS by Sabiha Sumar. The Hubert Bals Fund is supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dutch non-governmental development organisations Hivos, NCDO, DOEN Foundation and the Dutch public network NPS.

CineMart is the world's first and largest co-production market for low and medium budget film projects. Each edition CineMart selects some 45 film projects to be presented to approximately 900 attending co-producers, bankers, funds, sales agents, film distributors and television buyers. CineMart is supported by MEDIA Programme of the European Union, the Dutch Ministry of Education, Culture and Science, Hivos, the Dutch Film Fund and the Rotterdam Film Fund.

For more information on IFFR, Hubert Bals Fund and CineMart entry deadlines, see www.filmfestivalrotterdam.com.

Cannes Competition 2004 includes:

LA NINA SANTA by Lucrecia Martel (Argentina)
Supported by the Hubert Bals Fund
Selected for CineMart 2002

TROPICAL MALADY by Apichatpong Weerasethakul (Thailand)
Selected for CineMart 2004

NOBODY KNOWS by Kore-Eda Hirokazu (Japan)
Selected for CineMart 1999

Un Certain Regard 2004 includes:

CRÓNICAS by Sebastián Cordero (Ecuador)
Supported by the Hubert Bals Fund
CineMart Project 2003

HOTEL by Jessica Hausner (Austria)
CineMart Project 2003

WHISKY by Juan-Pablo Rebella, Pablo Stoll (Uruguay)
CineMart Project 2002

Directors' Fortnight 2004 / Quinzaine des Réalisateurs 2004 includes:

LOS MUERTOS by Lisandro Alonso (Argentina)
Supported by the Hubert Bals Fund
Selected for CineMart 2002

International Critics Week 2004 / Semaine Internationale de la Critique 2004 includes:

THIRST by Tawfik Abu Wael (Palestine/Israel)
Supported by the Hubert Bals Fund

BRASIL 40°

SELFRIDGES TO SCREEN BRAZILIAN MASTERPIECES IN OWN CINEMA

In a daring and unprecedented move SELFRIDGES is augmenting its May celebration of all things Brazilian, BRASIL 40°, by building a cinema inside its Oxford Street store and staging a major Brazilian Contemporary Film Festival.

All the movies to be shown are full-length features in the original Portuguese with English subtitles, directed by some of South America’s most distinguished filmmakers. BRASIL 40° is a major cultural event set to run throughout May filling SELFRIDGES stores with the vibrancy and excitement of Brasil.

BIA LESSA, Award-winning director and Creative Adviser to BRASIL 40° explains ‘We have musicians, dancers, chefs, sportsmen, painters and writers coming...so of course we have to include cinema – it’s one of Brasil’s greatest achievements, and we’re thrilled to be doing it in such style.”

ISABEL DIEGUES is a respected producer in Brasil, daughter of Cacá Diegues, the film director. She has selected the 24 contemporary Brazilian films to be screened. Isabel has included the controversial film MADAME SATAN about the legendary bisexual cabaret star and criminal of the 1930s, set in the slums of Rio where desperate dreams spring from poverty and squalor.

Also to be shown is the Oscar-nominated film CITY OF GOD (‘Cidade de Deus’), directed by FERNANDO MEIRELLES and KATIA LUND. This highly-praised, box-office hit was adapted from author Paulo Lins’ harsh Brazilian slice -of-life novel and honoured not only by receiving four ACADEMY AWARD nominations but also sweeping the Cinema Brasil Grand Prix awards and the HAVANA FILM FESTIVAL. Fernando Meirelles will be answering questions following the screening on May 25th.

Among other titles to be screened at BRASIL 40°...

O XANGO DE BAKER STREET, an hilarious thriller in which Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson arrive in Rio in pursuit of a stolen violin but end up giving themselves over to the sensual delights of the city...

GOD IS BRAZILIAN (Deus e Brasileiro) in which the Almighty joins a tyre repairman to search for a new saint in Brazil so he can take a much-needed holiday...

THE DOG’S WILL (O Auto da Compadecida) three intertwined comic stories contrast 1930s Brazil with Europe in the Middle Ages...

ME YOU THEM (Eu Tu Eles) set in the arid landscape of Brazil’s North-East where a woman shares her modest home with three husbands...

COPACABANA, a lyrical comedy about remembering the delights of life in Copacabana at any age...

TAINAH, AN AMAZON ADVENTURE (Taina) A young girl and her grandfather combat animal smugglers in the jungle...

WINDOW OF THE SOUL (Janela da Alma) a moving documentary about blindness and sight, featuring Wim Wnders, Oliver Sacks and 17 others alternating between philosophy, humour and poetry...

THE OYSTER AND THE WIND (A Ostra e o Vento) a love story and fantasy set on a mysterious island ruled by the wind...

MIDNIGHT (O Primeiro Dia) a desperate love story set in Copacabana on December 31st 1999...

ORFEU is a love story and thrilling evocation of Carnival featuring the music of Caetano Veloso...

THE TRESPASSER (O Invasor) in which two businessmen hire the hitman from hell and let loose a level of violence they have no chance of controlling...

THE HAPPY CRICKET (O Grilo Feliz) A moral tale set in an insect village attacked by a bad lizard.

OTHER STORIES (Outras Historias) A parable in which a beautiful sorceress bewitches her boss...

TWO SUMMERS (Houve uma Vez dois Veroes) Teenage love angst on the beach, as boy meets girl and summer turns to winter...

THE THREE MARIAS (As Tres Marias) Three sisters are used as bait in a revenge thriller set in Pernambuco...

TICKETS priced at £3 can be booked by telephoning 08708 371 007, tickets will also be sold at the market place kiosk on the lower ground atrium. All proceeds will go towards SELFRIDGES’ charitable link with the ABC TRUST (ACTION FOR BRASIL’S CHILDREN TRUST) (www.abctrust.org.uk). THE ABC TRUST is dedicated to fighting for the rights of millions of impoverished children in Brasil, and to the generation of projects designed to empower them and transform their lives.

BRASIL 40° offers an explosion of Brazilian cultural energy never before seen in this country. SELFRIDGES invites all-comers to experience it as a vibrant tribute to Brasil and its society.

BRASIL 40° runs from May 5th - 31st 2004
www.selfridges.com/brasil

Titan Books is proud to present,

SHREK

For the first time in comics, here comes Shrek, the loveable ogre from the smash-hit animated movie!

The first Shrek movie released in 2002, was a runaway success, an unconventional fairytale which quickly won over audiences of both children and adults alike. Featuring the vocal talents of Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz, Shrek was one of the smash-hit movies of the year, grossing over $267 million worldwide!

The eagerly awaited sequel is due for release this July and now you can enjoy even more Shrek with an all-new, all-action, all laughter series of adventures in his first graphic novel escapades!

Shrek, the shy but surly ogre, teams up with a loud, motor-mouthed donkey and, after a fairy tale romance, ends up married to the beautiful Princess Fiona. But the honeymoon is spoiled when Fiona is stolen by the evil (and dead) Lord Farquaad. And then there’s the business with the stone dragons, and the witch in the gingerbread house which, has gone stale like the biscuit down the back of the sofar...

Prepare for laugh-out-loud fun and action with these hilarious, original adventures of the world’s sweetest ogre!

Shrek 2, featuring all the original voice cast, hits cinemas in July 2004, with a major publicity campaign — sure to be a summer blockbuster!

Titan will be publishing a Shrek 2 tie-in magazine in June!

Titan Books - 25th June 2004 - £5.99 - Paperback
WWW.TITANBOOKS.COM
http://WWW.SHREK2.COM/

TIGER TELEMATICS AND TOYS 'R' US ANNOUNCE AGREEMENT FOR UK GIZMONDO DISTRIBUTION

Gizmondo Europe Ltd, previously named Gametrac Europe Ltd, subsidiary of Jacksonville, FL based Tiger Telematics Inc (TIGR) announced today that its much-anticipated mobile entertainment device, Gizmondo (previously named Gametrac), will be distributed in the UK first by Toys 'R' Us.

The Tiger Telematics' device, bearing the name Gizmondo, is best described as a multi-entertainer - a wireless, handheld device featuring cutting-edge gaming, an MP3 music player, movie player, multimedia messaging, in-built camera and GPS function, is scheduled to be released in the UK later this year.

Sandra Bullock Movie Wardrobe to Be Sold at Online Auction

A sweat top and dress Sandra Bullock wore in the film "Speed" (co-starring Keanu Reeves and Dennis Hopper) will go up for auction on April 27. The outfit is part of BondedSale.com's auction and has a starting bid of $2,499 with no reserve. The most recognizable costume from the hit movie "Speed", the set includes the highly distinctive Arizona "Wildcats" sweat top heavily referred to by both Dennis Hopper and Keanu Reeves. Also included is the light flowery dress that she wears. This is one of 4 sets used in the movie according to information from Fox Studios wardrobe. The set was obtained by a woman in Queensland, Australia. She and a friend won a radio contest on B105 Brisbane in 1995. The contest was called "A Day in the Life of Keanu Reeves" and coincided with the film's video release. The grand prize was an all-expense paid trip to Los Angeles and a personal tour of 20th-Century Fox Studios. During the tour, an employee from the wardrobe department presented her with several items that Keanu Reeves wore on the film set as well as the Sandra Bullock worn sweat top and dress. We purchased the set directly from the owner. All of this is detailed in a statutory declaration along with other documentation from the original owner. An 8x10 movie promo and original movie poster will be included with the set.

The BondedSale.com auction begins on April 27 and runs for 6 days. It is the world’s first bonded online-auction event. Every participating seller has passed a comprehensive background check by buySAFE and is bonded by The Hartford. Buyers are financially protected since every purchase is guaranteed up to $10,000.

Celebrity Autographs at Strickler's Sports will also sell several authentic autographed entertainment related items including a Paul McCartney autographed promo placard, a U2/Bono group signed album and a Dave Matthews autographed acoustic guitar.

UNPRECEDENTED MOTION PICTURE AND NETWORK TELEVISION EVENT

OSCAR NOMINATED FILMMAKER AND MODERN DAY MASTER OF SUSPENSE M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN HOSTS TWO NIGHTS OF PROGRAMMING ON ABC -- APRIL 26 & MAY 3

On APRIL 26 (8:00 – 11:00 p.m., ET) M. Night Shyamalan will host an ABC Network telecast of “The Sixth Sense,” during which he will present an exclusive, world premiere trailer of his next film, “The Village” – in theaters nationwide on July 30, 2004.

One week later, on MAY 3 (8:00-11:00 p.m., ET), Shyamalan hosts the ABC network television debut of “Unbreakable.” During the telecast Shyamalan will showcase never before seen material for “The Village,” including a groundbreaking 15 minutes of unique programming including a first look at scenes from the film, interviews, and behind-the-scenes access.

In M. Night Shyamalan’s “The Village,” the Academy Award®-nominated filmmaker assembles an all-star cast, including Academy Award®-nominees Joaquin Phoenix and Sigourney Weaver and Academy Award®-winners Adrien Brody and William Hurt. “The Village” tells the chilling tale of a close-knit community that lives with the frightening knowledge that creatures reside in the woods around them and the courage of one young man who challenges them. “The Village” will be in theaters nationwide on July 30, 2004.

“The Village” Official Website: http://thevillage.movies.com

In Justice - 2004 Philadelphia Film Festival's Hot Topic

Though this year's 13th Annual Philadelphia Film Festival has proven to be quickly rising and gaining popularity with more movies and celebrity guest appearances, it also proves to still hold true to the words "independent film festival," as a new filmmaker, Alexander Ballas arrives on the scene with his knockout film debut.

Ballas, 26 year old native of Philadelphia wrote, produced and directed the 35mm feature film In Justice, a drama set in the Philly police department. In Justice is a dark story of Frank Miller who awakens to a city where he is the prime suspect in his wife’s murder and swears an oath to hunt down the three men that murdered Angela, to find the video tape they made the night of her death, and to confront the Fourth Man who led the conspiracy against him.

Not only do the film’s powerful still images draw people’s curiosity, but the buzz circulating about “a guy who made a 35mm feature in only two weeks on a crumb budget” is hitting the streets furiously and making Ballas a hero among fellow filmmakers.

"This film was (remarkably) made in less than two weeks, entirely through volunteer support from cast and crew. Yet its dark, gritty feel contains absolutely no evidence of production shortcomings. The director credits his cast and crew “who worked tirelessly, constantly" in completing this very effective tale of love, hate and human redemption.--Scott Johnston

Ballas' cinematography is truly stunning and one of the main attractions to this film. His dark and gritty street style coupled with a breath taking pivotal scene on a deserted beach at sunrise, gives this film otherworldly radiance and looming darkness. He overpoweringly deploys certain colors, most notably red or green consistently bathed in a pool of shadows. The brighter scenes glow with character Angela always in red, presenting a feeling of life, love and innocent bloodshed. Then death, danger, and hate are bathed in dark shadows with minimal light. The film begins switching and juxtaposing them creating underlying tension as it slips in between dreams, hope, life, and death.

The cast of In Justice is flawless as every single actor gives a supreme performance, creating unique and chilling characters. Surprisingly, most of the actors are relatively new discoveries by Ballas after intense casting sessions between New York and Philadelphia. The film is headed by the moving performances of Mike Tyler (Frank Miller) and April Evans (Angela Miller). April, a stunning Texas beauty, gives a lovely and subtle, yet effective performance as a young wife in love on the brink of a new life. Truly a find, she is well matched with the film's star Mike Tyler who's portrayal of Frank Miller is nothing short of exceptional. Other cast members include Ron Gordan, Jonathon Hemmingway, Karl Jacob, Markus Hinkle, Peter Salzer, and Troy Perrin.

Though rumored to be almost sold out, a remarkable occurrence for a first timer, you can still see In Justice at the festival Sunday, April 18th. There will also be an after party directly following the screening in which you can meet Ballas, the cast and crew.


In Justice
US 2004, 75 min
Showtimes:
International House Sunday, April 18 7:15 Tickets $9.00

For more information, please visit the film's website www.in-justice.com or the Philadelphia Film Festival website www.phillyfests.com

LifeLine Entertainment to Begin Principle Photography on its Second Feature-Length Motion Picture, “11:11.”

The long awaited follow-up project to LifeLine Entertainment’s acclaimed feature debut “Return to Innocence”, has finally been announced and is slated for production on May 01, 2004 in Orange County. “11:11” is a two-sided feature film that uniquely combines a coming-of-age tale with a hard-hitting crime drama, all within its 90-minute duration.

The film will be shot in two segments. ACT 1, with a 1985 summertime setting, will begin production in May, followed by a four-month hiatus, and then ACT 2 will start up in October. Reasons for the unique shooting schedule is that of the film’s writer/director, Rocky Costanzo. “The mood and setting of this film is very important to me.” Says Costanzo. “I want the audience to be heavily involved in the story as if they are living the experience through the characters on screen.”

Costanzo, 30, has literally grown up on film production sets, having worked on hit television shows as “The Wonder Years,” “Evening Shade,” “Party of Five,” among others. His 2001 feature film debut, “Return to Innocence”, launched his career as an independent film director and has helped to set up his sophomore film project (11:11) which is loosely based on his own Orange County upbringing. Also worth noting is Costanzo’s 1993 film short, “Straight Talk,” a documentary on troubled youths, which earned him a Community Access Producers Award for best educational film in 1993.

ACT 1 of “11:11” takes place in the summer of 1985 along the pacific shores of Huntington Beach, California… a popular beach community of Orange County. The focus of the story rests on the backs of two young boys enjoying their typical summer of innocence. The two leading roles have been confirmed and announced. 13 year-old Myles Jeffrey will portray Young Zachary Fishman, a young rebel in the making, constantly flirting with trouble.

Myles is already a veteran in the film/television industry. He has earned numerous film and substantial television credits along with awards for his efforts. He has appeared in Guest Staring roles for "ER" and "Popular", and as a special Guest Star on "Family Law" and “Touched By An Angel.” He is currently a series regular voice on the cartoon "Stuart Little" for HBO, "Recess" as T.J. on Disney and "Whatever Happened to Robot Jones" for Cartoon Network.

11 year-old Darian Weiss has won the role of Young Parker Matthews, a small and fragile boy who hangs on the coat tails of his buddy, Zach. Darian is no stranger to LifeLine Entertainment, having appeared in the above mentioned title, “Return to Innocence,” but Darian has since worked a year on the popular daytime television program, “Days of our Lives” and starred in a handful of short films and theater productions.

Also on board is actor, Noah Fleiss, who has signed on to play Zach’s older cousin Derek. Noah has certainly earned his acting stripes, from his breakout performance in the award-winning feature film “Joe the King,” and in other film festival favorites like “Double Parked” and “Todd Solondz’s Storytelling.” The addition of Noah to the film’s cast once again was the decision of the film’s director, Rocky Costanzo. “Noah is the perfect ingredient to an already great cast.” Costanzo explains. “Not only does he fit the character perfectly, he also brings with him experience that will hopefully contribute to the performances of our younger actors who share scenes with him.”

“11:11” will be in-and-out of production this year and will then be showcased in domestic and international film festivals throughout 2005. An official web site is in the works, but for now you can visit LifeLine Entertainment’s home on the web at www.LifeLineEntertainment.com for updated information regarding this film and other works.

“E-GIRL” Confidant Won't Tell All

Hollywood, CA (PRWEB) April 14, 2004 -- What happens when a resourceful 17-year-old wannabe screenwriter, working for the world’s largest internet service provider, obtains the screen names of Hollywood’s biggest celebrities and power brokers? In Hollywood, it means a film project based on the true story of Heather Robinson and her incredible escapade as an online confidant to the stars!

Robinson, who has already parlayed her adolescent charade as a pretend suitor for her lonely mom into Universal’s forthcoming film, “The Perfect Man” starring Hilary Duff, is at it again with “E-Girl”--her even zanier adventure as an internet intimate to some of Hollywood’s biggest names.

The full-fledged writer/producer maintains her prior cyber-subterfuge with major personalities and power players while a teenage customer service agent was neither malicious nor insincere and hardly worse than chumming up to movie stars at a private party or lifting a director’s cell phone number from an agency rolodex.

“Given the chance, what hopeful wouldn’t look up a few screen names if it meant they could meet their favorite player?” Heather reasons, “but I followed company rules and only contacted those who had an online profile or were in a chat room.”

Most celebrities had no clue at the time she knew who they really were, Robinson admits and that, of course, made her unorthodox approach so amenable to most.

“They were gracious, authentic and supportive,” Robinson says of nearly all of her idol encounters, “and what strange ‘proclivities’ a few may have exhibited will remain secret because most of them are close friends or colleagues now.”

Robinson vows “E-Girl” will only depict the clever, amazing and heartrending aspects of her online escapades and, who knows, perhaps some of her internet pals will appear in the film.

Japanese audiences stunned into silence by charity advert

In what is the first time that a non-governmental organisation has been able to show a cinema advert in Japan, thousands of cinema goers have been shocked into silence by a powerful new advert highlighting the misery of Japan's bear parks.

Made by NAGAI productions on behalf of the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and its Japanese member society All Life in a Viable Environment (ALIVE), the advert shows powerful scenes of the terrible conditions endured by bears in Japan's notorious bear parks. The commentary takes the form of a conversation between a mother and her son, with the child being told of the reason why bears kept together in small concrete pits show abnormal behaviour. Mr Nagai, a director of NAGAI productions who created the advert, described the reaction in Japan, "As soon as the advert started, everyone suddenly stopped talking and the theatre became very quiet. It seemed to capture everyone's attention, including even young children. That this advert has been allowed to be shown is a historical moment for NGOs and the advertising industry in Japan."

The advert is being shown before performances of Disney's 'Brother Bear' in two of the largest multiplex cinemas in Tokyo (Ikebukuro SunShine Movie Theater, from 20/3 to 2/4, and Kinshichou Cinema Movie Theater, from 27/3 to 9/4), as well as twice hourly for 12 hours a day throughout April on a large outdoor screen in the city centre. WSPA estimates that at least 50,000 people will get to see it during this time.

This is the latest move in a long running campaign by WSPA and ALIVE to close down Japan's eight bear parks. It follows the news earlier this year that at least one park (in Jyozankei) has announced that it is to close, with two others considering their future.

Victor Watkins, WSPA's Libearty Director, commented, "There is a growing movement to reject places like bear parks, where animals are kept in terrible conditions that are bad for their welfare. WSPA will continue to press for effective legislation in Japan to prevent the cruelty to animals that is clearly inherent in the bear park industry."

In response to growing concerns over the bear parks, Ed McAlister, President of the World Association of Zoos and Aquaria (WAZA), recently stated to WSPA, "We will not countenance welfare abuse in any form; this applies to practices outside zoos just as much as some which occasionally occur in organisations which masquerade under the name of zoos. If the money or the will to improve is not there we will move to have the 'zoo' closed down."

Titan Books Presents
Mythology – The DC Comics Art of Alex Ross

THE ULTIMATE BOOK FROM THE ULTIMATE COMICS ARTIST!

The best-loved comic characters in the world, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the JLA and many more, are all brought to life by the number one fan-favourite artist working in the medium today, the incomparable Alex Ross.

In this beautiful hardback edition you will enjoy the evolution of Ross’s work, from his early sketches aged three, to his contemporary masterpieces such as Batman: War on Crime and more recently his stunning Smallville covers which he designed exclusively for TV Guide.

This book reveals Ross’s lifelong love of these classic superheroes and his vision — taking you into the studio for a behind-the-scenes look at his creative process, with hundreds of never-before seen sketches, limited edition prints, and prototype sculptures. Ross’s dynamic art combines with Chip Kidd’s kinetic design to make his most memorable stories soar off the page.

What was it about DC Comics super heroes that inspired Alex Ross as a child?
“As an adolescent you need order in your world, and super heroes have that, a sense of ethics that would never change – they would never be less than perfect, fighting for their ideals.” Alex Ross

* Alex Ross artwork will feature in the movie sequel Spider-Man 2

* National Comics Week is 24-30 May 2004

* Alex Ross is the number one fan-favourite artist working in comics today. This hotly anticipated book is the first collection of his work

* Features scores of rare and previously unpublished pieces

* Introduction by M. Night Shyamalan, acclaimed director (Signs; The Sixth Sense)

* Plus a new, exclusive Superman-Batman story, written by Kidd and painted by Ross!

“Iconic... Ross brings to his work an unparalleled sense of the real.”
— Entertainment Weekly ‘A’ grade review

“Alex’s art completely changed the way I thought of comics... amazing”
—Ain’t It Cool News


FROM: TITAN BOOKS
OUT: 21 MAY 2004
PRICED: £24.99
FORMAT: HARDBACK

‘RINGS’ ANIMATOR MAKING CUTTING EDGE 3D ANIMATION IN ENGLAND’S NORTHWEST

Manchester based production company The Box; have launched an exciting collaboration with talented and highly acclaimed Lord of the Rings animator Miles Bellas.

Miles, who is originally from Wigan, Greater Manchester, has just returned from New Zealand where he worked for over two years on the multi award winning movies. His other credits include Titanic, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and The Fifth Element. Miles will be working with The Box on a five minute 3D digitally animated character based DVD over the next twelve months.

North West Vision, the TV and Film agency for England’s Northwest are contributing £20,000 from its lottery funding towards the making of this short 3D film.

Alice Morrison, Chief Executive of North West Vision said:

“By supporting this innovative project we are helping to raise the UK’s 3D animation profile by reaching out to a whole new adult audience. North West Vision are committed to raising the profile and shaping the region’s film industry, spearheaded by the growing reputation of 3D animation in Manchester”

This witty 3D film (yet to be titled) will be unique and innovative and is aimed at an adult audience.
The making of the production will involve approximately 15 people. The Box hopes to develop and maintain strong links with North West educational establishments and training providers in the making of this short film.

Mike Kirwin, Director of the Box said:

“This is fantastic project and we are so thrilled to have established a partnership with Miles Bellas and funding support from North West Vision. Pre-production for our digital 3D animation will start very shortly and we hope to be completed by summer 2005.”

New Archers Theme Tune

This morning Radio 4 reported that the long-running radio soap opera, The Archers, would be getting a new theme tune produced by Brian Eno. It sounded terrible, and it would be obvious that the ultra conservative listeners of this station would be on the war path. Even I was shocked by this earth-shattering change - then I remembered the date; April 1st.

The Spirit of Tinseltown

Tinseltown TV is the world's first weekly entertainment show to bridge the gap between Hollywood and Bollywood, taking mainstream Hollywood and celebrities to Asian audiences throughout the world.

Tinseltown Entertainment was founded in 2003 by London-born Sheeraz Hasan, who also hosts and produces the show. Sheeraz's story is a true rags to riches tale - from landing in LA eighteen months ago with no contacts or experience in the entertainment industry Sheeraz has become the host of a show that reaches an audience of 500 million around the world, half of Hollywood knows him by name, he has interviewed all the A-list Hollywood celebrities and has been labelled as the New American Dream by Fortune Magazine.

Sheeraz is a true entrepreneur, and his aim over the next year is to expand the Tinseltown brand even further to reach an audience of a billion viewers.

Tinseltown TV itself is not only unique in its reach, but also in its content. The show moves away from the traditional red carpet interviews to focus on the spiritual side of Hollywood, questioning celebrities on the role of spirituality in their lives and providing a unparalleled insight into how they stay focused and grounded - an approach which has earned it the reputation as the number one entertainment show in Hollywood amongst the Hollywood elite.