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Film

07-15-02 / Screenplays Wanted

Mike Gee of Indream is looking for new properties. "I represent a group of producers, distributers, and VFX/production houses who are film credited in the feature animation and VFX industries. Members of our group have worked on features such as ANTZ, INDEPENDENCE, THE 5TH ELEMENT, FIGHT CLUB, TRUE LIES, TITANIC, APOLLO 13 AND MANY OTHERS. We are currently looking for a comedy and/or action screenplay that could be produced as a feature 3D animation. We are interested in fairytales, romances, adventures, musicals, remakes of the classics stories. Send us a brief summary and logline and make sure you've copyrighted your material. Then, we'll take a look at it." Email to mike@zygote.com.

07-15-02 / Two Film Producers
Join Seminar

Santa Fe, NM - Two new producers have signed on for The Producers Seminar section of The Screenwriting Conference in Santa Fe. Added to the roster of attending producers are Brian R. Etting, founder of Garlin Pictures, and Jeff Monarch, Director of Development of Boz Productions, both of Los Angeles. Etting has extensive experience in worldwide film financing and in productions for Lions Gate Films, HBO and MGM. Monarch helped develop the smash hit "Scary Movie" and is currently developing projects for MGM and Dreamworks.

At the seminar, budding screenwriters can pitch their stories to Etting and Monarch and eight other Hollywood execs. "Producers requested more than a hundred scripts for evaluation at the February conference," says SCSFe Executive Director Larry N Stouffer.

The fourth annual conference will be held at the Radisson Santa Fe Oct. 4-7, 2002. The deadline for early registration discounts is August 15. Early registrants will also get a private script consultation with their teacher/mentor. For information, check the Conference website, http://www.scsfe.com, or call 505.424.1501.

06-13-02 / Pitching Hollywood?
"Brands" Are "In"

This summer is shaping up as Hollywood's all-time blockbuster season. The reason? The latest formula for success - the "brand movie" - is working. This summer, Hollywood will release 16 big-star, big-budget films described as brands: films that are sequels, prequels, spin-offs, franchises, or based on universally recognized characters from comic books, children's books, or video games.

America already has Spider-Man and Star Wars: Episode II, but coming soon to a multiplex near absolutely everybody will be Austin Powers 3, Scooby Doo, Men in Black II, Spy Kids 2, and Stuart Little 2. And so on.

In Hollywood terms, these are safe bets: brands work. Cinema audiences in northern China are familiar with Terminator, and in Africa with Luke Skywalker and the Star Wars gang. Harry Potter made $316 million in American cinemas, but it also made $638 million in the rest of the world. The first Austin Powers made $54 million, the second $205 million.

"The two manias of the moment are to exploit franchises, and to build new ones," says Peter Bart, the editor of Variety, the trade newspaper. "Best of all is a franchise that's a family film: that's really hot now."

05-01-02 / Popart Film Factory
Seeking New Projects

Do do that voodoo that you do so well: Producer Daniel Zirilli is looking for new blood

Daniel Zirilli, the energetic Producer/Director/Writer-Owner of Popart Film Factory, is on the prowl for good projects. Zirilli made three films last year: he produced and directed The Stonecutter, which was made in Tahiti and written by South Seas painter Aad Van Der Heyde; he produced an urban drama called 15 to Life; and he wrote, directed, and produced Voodoo Mardi Gras, written by Carl Washington, who--along with Zirilli--wrote the script, Hot Parts, which was recently optioned by Inverness Media. 15 to Life and Voodoo Mardi Gras are being distributed by Spartan Films domestically and Vision Films internationally.

Zirilli is in the process of completing the script for his dream project, No Man Is an Island, the true story about legendary bootlegger, gunrunner, Mafia-hustler-turned-Key-West-mayor Captain Tony Tarracino. Tarracino, you may recall, was made even more famous when fellow Key West resident, warbler Jimmy Buffet, immortalized him in song.

"I am always looking for new, lower-budgeted material," said Zirilli, "especially from writers who work on spec. My films are getting made, so I'd say there is a better than usual chance that if I like the script, I can get it financed. Deals I have done in the past work like this: the writer gets both both 5% of the producer's ownership share of the film and 5% of the budget, itself."

Anyone interested in contacting Zirilli can e-mail him at dzpff@earthlink.net.

05-01-02 / L.A. Studio in
Search of Concepts

Stephen Abronson, Director of Development at Edgar J. Scherick Associates, Inc., 1950 Sawtelle Blvd., Suite 282, Los Angeles, CA 90025, is looking for new material to develop. If you have something of commercial appeal, drop him a line.

05-01-02 / Seventh Arts Seeking
Documentary Subjects, Treatments

Seventh Art Releasing (SAR), a theatrical distributor and U.S. and foreign sales company founded in 1994 by Jonathan Cordish and Udy Epstein, is on the lookout for quality documentary concepts and treatments.

Among SAR releases are several Academy Award® Nominated Films. Year 2000 Nominee for Documentary Feature Long Night's Journey into Day (HBO) and winner of the Grand Jury Prize at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival and the Peace Award at the Berlin International Film Festival, reveals the results of years of work by South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC), and follows four different cases as they are reviewed by the TRC over 2-1/2 years. The 1999 Academy Nominees include; Speaking in Strings (Documentary Feature Length) a rhythmic, often humorous film about the irreverent world-renowned classical violinist, Nadja Salerno-Sonnenberg, nicknamed “the bad girl of the violin;" The Wildest Show in the South: the Angola Prison Rodeo (Documentary Short); and Eyewitness (Documentary Short).

SAR's past releases include; EMI’s MEETING PEOPLE IS EASY, a film by Grant Gee about the internationally renowned band Radiohead. The theatrical release was hailed as: “new standard for music-related cinema as we approach the new millennium”; Channel Four’s SISTER MY SISTER, produced by Norma Heyman, starring Joely Richardson and Julie Walters; Dirk Shafer's mock-doc MAN OF THE YEAR, which topped the independent release charts in March of 1996; and A PERFECT CANDIDATE, produced by R.J. Cutler (creator of Fox TV and now PBS’ American High) and David van Taylor and financed by MCA/Universal. The film has been hailed as "the best American documentary since HOOP DREAMS." In 1997, following a successful theatrical run, GLORY DAZE, starring Ben Affleck, French Stewart and Alyssa Milano was released by Columbia Tri-Star Home Video, and later aired on ABC.

Recent acquisitions include Almost Elvis, the definitive documentary on the world of Elvis impersonators; Rudyland, narrated by Susan Sarandon, chronicles the hot-tempered, hostile and often hilarious battles between mayor Rudy Giuliani and those who refuse to give in to the "Disneyfication" of New York City.; Always a Bridesmaid (HBO/Channel Four) follows filmmaker Nina Davenport through her obsession with the institution of marriage and her fears of ending up alone; Creature, a boldly compassionate look at gender ambiguity that examines an often misunderstood sub-culture through the journey of one man-to-woman transsexual. Creature will air in 2001 on Cinemax; Living 180 feet off the ground in an ancient redwood tree for over two years, Julia Butterfly Hill captured the hearts and minds of the world by showing us that one person can make a difference in Doug Wolen's moving documentary, Butterfly, Fight to the Max, directed by Simeon Soffer, spotlights the Louisiana Prison Boxing Championships and the trials and tribulations of incarcerated boxers who fight for pride and redemption in one of the country's harshest penal systems. Selma Blair and Max Beesley star in Kill Me Later, an unlikely love-story amidst a bank robbery and a girl that is simply trying to end her life.

You can reach SAR at http://www.7tharts.com.

Print

07-15-02 / Ms. Magazine Changes

Ms. magazine named Tracy Wood, an award-winning investigative journalist to lead the publication under its new owner, the Feminist Majority Foundation. Wood was named editor-in-chief of the 31-year-old publication Monday by foundation chair Peg Yorkin. Wood was most recently investigations editor for the Orange County Register. Her career includes 17 years as a reporter for the Los Angeles Times, where she reported on the Rodney King beating, the 1992 Los Angeles riots and other stories.

Wood was a combat correspondent in Vietnam for United Press International and held various other reporting and editing roles for the wire service throughout Asia before returning to the United States in 1976. She also is co-author of "War Torn: Stories of War from the Women Reporters who Covered Vietnam," which will be published in August by Random House, and is completing another novel.

"With a seasoned investigative reporter and editor at the helm, Ms. can expose news in a way that makes news," said Eleanor Smeal, president of the Feminist Majority Foundation. "That's the ultimate goal." The group that rescued Ms. in 1998 transferred ownership to the Feminist Majority Foundation last November.

The magazine moved its editorial offices to Los Angeles. Gloria Steinem, who co-founded the magazine in 1971, now serves as a consulting editor. The magazine is expected to publish its first issue under its new owners this fall. Wood said Ms. plans to feature investigative pieces as well as expand its tradition of publishing profiles and works from new fiction writers.

Ms. Magazine's new address is 433 S. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills, CA 90212.

06-26-02 / Regional Magazine Seeking Articles

Nevada Magazine, 401 N. Carson Street, Carson City, NV 89701 (775-687-5416) is looking for reader-specific material for its print pages. According to editor David Moore: "We're looking for good recreation, history, and hotel-casinos stories and ideas. Dining and attraction stories are welcome, too. We pay .15 - .25 cents a word for features of 1,500 - 2,500 words. For new writers, a good option is to send a query, bio, and any clips you may have, but we welcome unsolicited manuscripts with a cover letter. Always enclose an SASE and make sure manuscript is double-spaced. I suggest looking thoroughly at the magazine. Although it's the official state tourism publication, Nevada Magazine has a lot of depth and tries to give visitors a strong sense of why they should visit the state. We cover all aspects of the state, from gaming and showgirls to ghost towns and recreation. Each issue is designed to show a balance of the state's offerings as well as a geographic balance (we don't just cover Las Vegas). We value writers who have fresh ideas, understand the magazine's mission, and show enthusiasm for the state (and have been here!)." Contact Moore or associate editor Joyce Hollister at editor@nevadamagazine.com. Web site: http://www.nevadamagazine.com. The magazine pays on publication or, when holding pieces for a lengthy period of time, on acceptance.

06-11-02 / Vogue To Launch New Title

Vogue, the fashionably chick fashion mag, has announced plans to unveil Teen Vogue beginning in 2003, according to sources. The bi-monthly will have an initial run of 450,000 copies and be headed by editor-in-chief Amy Astley (212-286-6102), although no market details have been received yet.

06-10-02 / Yet Another New Fashion Mag

Coming this July is yet another new fashion/trend magazine. This one, called Solitaire, will concentrate on jewelry and watch connoisseurs in the Pacific Rim. It will feature interviews and pictorials of celebrities and designers associated with the jewelry and watch world; travel pieces on primary production sites (such as opal mines); thoughtful how-to-buy features; the history of jewelry and watch houses plus industry pioneers; and stories on jewelry used in body piercings. Solitaire will be published in English in Singapore.

06-01-02 / New Political Publication
Debuts in October

The Common Good, a new political magazine that launches in October, has named Jim Bellows as its editor. According to the New York Post, no writers have been hired yet.

05-01-02 / So You Wanna
Get Syndicated

Lord knows it's not easy. But the Copley News Service is looking for travel stories, technology columns, and "new ideas" from good writers (is there any other kind?). Check them out at http://www.copleynews.com/. If you wish to submit material for possible syndication, send samples of your work to Glenda Winders, Editorial Director, Copley News Service, P.O. Box 120190, San Diego, CA 92112. Only Submissions accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope will be returned. "We look for top-notch cartoonists and columnists who are specialists in their fields."

Press Trips

08-25-02 / Alaska Brown Bear Photo Safari

From the lush coastal rainforests of Kodiak Island to the rugged volcanic coast of Katmai National Park, Bald Mountain Air Service has developed an unequaled brown bear viewing program to excite the most seasoned wilderness traveler, adventurer, and photographer. We'd like to invite serious travel writers to join us for one of our "trips of a lifetime". We have been featured in Alaska Magazine, on CNN, and in numerous newspapers around the country and in the world.

Owned and operated by lifelong Alaskans, Gary and Jeanne Porter, we are based in stunning Homer Alaska where we operate daily from the middle of May through September. We GUARANTEE that our clients will see the awe-inspiring Alaska Coastal Brown Bears.

Check out our very comprehensive web site at http://www.baldmountainair.com for a complete description of our trips and the different locations that we access and contact us by e-mail or telephone.

This offer is open for the 2002 season (Approx. May 15 - September 30) to qualified journalists. We are especially interested in being published in Nature, Wildlife, Travel, and Photography publications and potential journalists will be selected on that basis. Interested journalists are encouraged to contact us A.S.A.P. to set up a travel date as prime travel dates book up quickly.

07-15-02 / Lewis and Clark Expedition

September 24-26 will be the core dates during which participants will experience sites that were of significance to the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Focusing on the areas of Alton, St. Louis and St. Charles, we will be involved in sundry activities, including cycling Adventure Cycling Association’s newest route, the Lewis & Clark Bicycle Trail.

Inclusions: transportation and accommodations included. Interested journalists should

contact Renata Turk at Sublime Public Relations.

E-mail: renata@sublimepub.com. When responding please include your e-mail address, name and telephone number.

07-15-02 / Alaska Wilderness Trip

Wildland Adventures has space for one travel writer on an upcoming Alaska excursion from July 20 to 31, 2002. If you are interested in writing a travel piece featuring the backcountry areas of Alaska with a company that has an established reputation as one of the pioneers in eco-travel, this trip is for you.

Qualifications: Wildland Adventures will only consider professional travel writers with an established history of contributing to a major travel publication or newspaper with a circulation of 300,000 or more. The company will request copies of clips within the last year and experience in writing about Alaska is a plus. Please email your inquiries to brandie@bsacommunications.com.

06-14-02 / Zimbabwe, Anyone?

The African country of Zimbabwe has been called the most stunningly beautiful of all the continent's lands. Now, the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority is seeking to awaken the world to its offerings by reinstituting a program to alert the foreign press, particularly American journalists, to this undiscovered gem.

For more information, check out the ZTA at its Web site, which you'll find here: http://www.zimbabwetourism.co.zw/.

06-08-02 / Virgin Islands Tour

Looking for the perfect working vacation? This is a 10-person, 7-night, 3-island tour. Enjoy the exciting water sports and land-based activities unique to the USVI.

Please note that on behalf of the United States Virgin Islands Department of Tourism and our airline partners, Martin Public Relations must require that press trip participants provide a letter of assignment from each outlet's editor or producer for each person participating in the trip. Because we have a limited number of spaces on the trips, and many requests from journalists to participate, it would also be helpful to provide: the outlet's circulation (preference is given to writers associated with a publication—or combination of publications—with a minimum circulation of 100,000 or more); the name of the writer on assignment; and the intended publication date of the article or book, broadcast date of the program, or posting date of the article on a Web site. For more information on this and several other USVI tours: kelly.campbell@martinagency.com.

06-01-02 / Galapagos Islands Cruise

An expedition-style cruise in the Galapagos Islands is truly a natural history experience and adventure opportunity of a lifetime. Each year, Ecoventura, based in Guayaquil, Ecuador transports thousands of nature enthusiasts to this most extraordinary setting, an archipelago scattered across the Pacific Ocean and home to species of plants, birds, reptiles and marine life, many of which exist nowhere else on earth.

The trip Includes a four night cruise on the 195-ft M/V CORINTHIAN, a 48-passenger expedition ship, for the travel writer (and companion) sharing the same cabin; cabin accommodation, all meals and snacks, beverages and mineral water, shore excursions, guide services, use of snorkeling equipment, wet suits (if necessary) sea kayaks and transfers in the Islands. Two nights hotel accommodations at the first star HOTEL COLON in Guayaquil and transfers from the airport provided by the hotel.

Now in its second decade of operation, Ecoventura has earned a solid reputation for delivering personalized service, value and a high level of comfort and safety. With a passenger to crew ratio of two to one, our exclusive small-group, small-vessel excursions are congenial and ecology-friendly. Staffed by experienced captains and knowledgeable naturalist guides, our trips are enriching, rewarding and great fun.

In an effort to lessen the impact upon the ecosystem's delicate balance, our entire operation has been certified by Smart Voyager, a program developed by the Rainforest Alliance and the CCD, an Ecuadorian conservation group. This “green seal of approval” gives passengers the assurance that they are traveling with an operator who cares about the conservation of the islands and has taken every measure to ensure that passengers enjoy a safe, memorable, educational, mind-expanding and thrilling adventure without harming the wildlife or this special environment.

Media Offer: 4 night cruise on the M/V Corinthian to qualified travel writers on assignment and companion sharing the same cabin.

Yacht Cruise Dates: 07-01-05, 08-19-23, 08-26-30, 09-02-06

Exclusions: International airfare. It is up to the travel writers to arrange their own air transportation to Ecuador. Journalists will need to contact the airlines marketing department to request journalist rates. Airlines information will be provided upon request.

Journalists Requirements: In order to qualify please contact Galapagos Network in order to fill out the participation form and receive further detail regarding the press trips. Please send copies of your work together with any information and press clippings that would support your participation. Writers with assignments will be given priority. Assignments should be on company letterhead and signed by the publication. Please do not send assignments via email.

For additional information: doris@galapagosnetwork.com.

06-01-02 / Salmon River, Idaho, Rafting Tour

Action Whitewater Adventures is inviting journalists to join them on one of their 5-day (6-day in August) whitewater rafting adventures on the Main Salmon or Middle Fork of the Salmon River. Dates are available for the Main Salmon River trip throughout the summer. Openings for the Middle Fork are available in June and August.

The snowfall in Idaho was over 90% of normal this year, making water levels exceptionally good on the Salmon. While many areas of the country are experiencing drought, this will be one of the best whitewater seasons on the Salmon. The Middle Fork is also a blue ribbon trout stream that appeals to fishermen as well as rafters.

Inclusions: Lifejackets, waterproof gear bags, sleeping bags and pads, cots, waterproof ammo cans, eating utensils and cup, and four-man tent for two people. Meals provided begin with lunch on the first day and end with lunch on the last day.

Exclusions: Transportation to Salmon, Idaho; personal expenses and purchases, gratuities.

Journalist Requirements: If freelance, either an assignment or clippings of past work and statement of where you expect to place the article that results from your trip.

Contact Verle Duerden at 801-375-4111 or email riverboss@aol.com for a complete list of trip availability.

For more information on Action Whitewater Adventures visit: http://www.riverguide.com.

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