FACT witnesses an increase in counterfeit goods
Figures announced by the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) highlight a massive increase of over 400% in the seizure of pirated films in 2003. This trend is by no means on the decline, over 250,000 pirated films have been seized since January 2004 – this batch includes counterfeit versions of Mel Gibson’s The Passion of The Christ which will be released in the UK on March 26th. This latest seizure represents a loss of over £1.25 million to the black economy.
Director of Operations Jim Angell said: "The fact that we have seized 50% more titles this year compared to the same period last year indicates that piracy is a booming trade. However, our figures only represent a small proportion of the counterfeit products entering the country. FACT can only make a difference if the entertainment industry unites in our fight to put these criminals out of business.
"There is a simple message for the general public: don't waste your money on substandard counterfeit goods. Not only will you be stifling the developing and expanding British film industry, but you will also be supporting the unsavoury and, quite frankly, terrifying activities of criminal gangs."
This message lies at the heart of a new hard hitting media campaign launched by FACT and is designed to educate members of the entertainment industry and the general public to help stamp out film piracy in the UK.
Jim Angell continues: "It is important that people realise the extent of intellectual property theft and the negative impact it has both on the industry and far beyond. We can only make a difference if industry members join us in our efforts to rid the UK of this hugely damaging black market."
The most popular titles seized by FACT in 2003 were Finding Nemo, Master and Commander, Pirates of The Caribbean, Kill Bill, Brother Bear, Calendar Girls and Love Actually.
Figures for 2003 seizures by FACT are as follows:
VCD 125,275
VHS 86,866
DVDR/ DVD Comp/ DVDR Comp 190,004
DVD 1,614,328
Friday, March 26, 2004
There Ain't No Wakeboarding In Iraq (WakinAMovie.com)
NY filmmaker Monroe Mann has been working for years to put together the world’s first wakeboarding feature film, to be shot in Orlando, Florida this fall. That is... until the Army stepped in and told him otherwise.
Despite all the obstacles of being an independent filmmaker, Monroe Mann has been able to line up Avril Lavigne & Sum41 for the soundtrack to their film and gain the support of the entire pro-wakeboarding community. Lieutenant Mann, however, also just got a call from his commanding officer. He and his battalion from the NY Army National Guard are packing their bags, leaving their civilian lives behind, and heading off to Iraq on May 15th.
Despite being confused and nervous about going to war, and despite the lack of funds and time, this Lieutenant filmmaker is still determined to fulfill his dream of making this movie.
"Among the many things I've learned by being in the Army,' says Mann, 26, "I've learned that impossible is not an option when success is the only alternative. Somehow, someway, we're going to make this movie."
How? By enlisting the support of the American people.
Mann and his crew at Loco Dawn Films have set up a website at www.WakinAMovie.com to help raise the money to make their film before he has to ship out to Iraq for war. They are hoping that people will actually go there, donate money, and help make movie history. The website is designed to appeal to wakeboarders, film buffs, those with military affiliations… and to anyone who has ever had a dream.
Wakeboarding is a cross between snowboarding and waterskiing and is the fastest growing extreme sport in the world. In the words of Jason Bingham of Wakeboarding Magazine, “Those who choose to be a part of this film, choose to be a part of a revolution in extreme sports.”
Monroe Mann (26) is a twice published author and the owner of the Unstoppable Actors Business School in Manhattan. His book "To Benning and Back - The Making of a Citizen Soldier" is the country's only first person journal account of modern basic training and officer candidate school.
NY filmmaker Monroe Mann has been working for years to put together the world’s first wakeboarding feature film, to be shot in Orlando, Florida this fall. That is... until the Army stepped in and told him otherwise.
Despite all the obstacles of being an independent filmmaker, Monroe Mann has been able to line up Avril Lavigne & Sum41 for the soundtrack to their film and gain the support of the entire pro-wakeboarding community. Lieutenant Mann, however, also just got a call from his commanding officer. He and his battalion from the NY Army National Guard are packing their bags, leaving their civilian lives behind, and heading off to Iraq on May 15th.
Despite being confused and nervous about going to war, and despite the lack of funds and time, this Lieutenant filmmaker is still determined to fulfill his dream of making this movie.
"Among the many things I've learned by being in the Army,' says Mann, 26, "I've learned that impossible is not an option when success is the only alternative. Somehow, someway, we're going to make this movie."
How? By enlisting the support of the American people.
Mann and his crew at Loco Dawn Films have set up a website at www.WakinAMovie.com to help raise the money to make their film before he has to ship out to Iraq for war. They are hoping that people will actually go there, donate money, and help make movie history. The website is designed to appeal to wakeboarders, film buffs, those with military affiliations… and to anyone who has ever had a dream.
Wakeboarding is a cross between snowboarding and waterskiing and is the fastest growing extreme sport in the world. In the words of Jason Bingham of Wakeboarding Magazine, “Those who choose to be a part of this film, choose to be a part of a revolution in extreme sports.”
Monroe Mann (26) is a twice published author and the owner of the Unstoppable Actors Business School in Manhattan. His book "To Benning and Back - The Making of a Citizen Soldier" is the country's only first person journal account of modern basic training and officer candidate school.
Animated marketing for Alex Rider
Walker Books and Screenbase Media have joined forces to create the first animated "viral" promotion for a children's book. Scorpia Mission offers an interactive slice of the action, mystery and suspense from the fifth of Anthony Horowitz's Alex Rider books, Scorpia, on sale from 1 April 2004.
Next week, 250,000 children will be invited to watch the dramatic promo at
http://www.scorpiamission.com
Fans can discover what Scorpia is and the dark secrets about Alex Rider's father in an animated trailer. For those who cannot wait for the book, Scorpia Mission offers an exclusive extract of the first chapter, as well as details about Anthony Horowitz and further information about the Alex Rider series.
Walker Books approached Screenbase for this project, as their core-sector expertise lies in publishing, film and TV. They have developed and built author and title brands, including Douglas Coupland's Hey Nostradamus, Salam Pax's The Baghdad Blog and the Life of Pi promotion, which won an award at the 2003 Flash Forward Film Festival. Screenbase has worked with some of the largest media brands in the UK to provide a unique mix of creative and technical services that encompass marketing, graphic and web design. Previous clients include HarperCollins, Canongate Books, Edinburgh International Film Festival and Channel 4.
Anthony Horowitz, author of the Alex Rider series, said:
"I just love it. It really grips you from the start, and I particularly like the fact that it's so adult in nature - not at all condescending. I hope it entices a few kids away from their computers and into the books."
Alison Morrison, Head of Marketing at Walker Books, said:
"We are always looking for new and exciting ways to reach a wider audience in an environment that they respond to. Screenbase has produced a gripping trailer which will ignite anticipation among those who know the Alex Rider series, while establishing new readers as well!"
To preview the site visit Scorpia Mission at
http://www.scorpiamission.com
Walker Books and Screenbase Media have joined forces to create the first animated "viral" promotion for a children's book. Scorpia Mission offers an interactive slice of the action, mystery and suspense from the fifth of Anthony Horowitz's Alex Rider books, Scorpia, on sale from 1 April 2004.
Next week, 250,000 children will be invited to watch the dramatic promo at
http://www.scorpiamission.com
Fans can discover what Scorpia is and the dark secrets about Alex Rider's father in an animated trailer. For those who cannot wait for the book, Scorpia Mission offers an exclusive extract of the first chapter, as well as details about Anthony Horowitz and further information about the Alex Rider series.
Walker Books approached Screenbase for this project, as their core-sector expertise lies in publishing, film and TV. They have developed and built author and title brands, including Douglas Coupland's Hey Nostradamus, Salam Pax's The Baghdad Blog and the Life of Pi promotion, which won an award at the 2003 Flash Forward Film Festival. Screenbase has worked with some of the largest media brands in the UK to provide a unique mix of creative and technical services that encompass marketing, graphic and web design. Previous clients include HarperCollins, Canongate Books, Edinburgh International Film Festival and Channel 4.
Anthony Horowitz, author of the Alex Rider series, said:
"I just love it. It really grips you from the start, and I particularly like the fact that it's so adult in nature - not at all condescending. I hope it entices a few kids away from their computers and into the books."
Alison Morrison, Head of Marketing at Walker Books, said:
"We are always looking for new and exciting ways to reach a wider audience in an environment that they respond to. Screenbase has produced a gripping trailer which will ignite anticipation among those who know the Alex Rider series, while establishing new readers as well!"
To preview the site visit Scorpia Mission at
http://www.scorpiamission.com
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