воскресенье, 31 января 2010 г.
суббота, 30 января 2010 г.
Editor's Corner
By Environment Man
Acting is pretending. To be someone else. Even as most just act like themselves when taking on a character. Although there are a few really good character actors out there. So Hollywood manufactures illusion. Billions of dollars worth each year. The factories in Hollywood have great workers and great producers who risk it all for fame and riches. Pretending is very big business.
Politics includes a lot of pretending too. A policy position can be a moving target for a politician. Part of the profession has to include representing the views of constituents even when you do not believe in the position. Is that acting? Washington, D.C. deals in trillions of dollars and there is nothing pretentious about national security. Except maybe overselling the Iraq War with the notion of WMDs. Although Israelis sleep much better without Saddam. And Barack Obama could have been a huge movie star. Don't you think?
By Environment Man
Acting is pretending. To be someone else. Even as most just act like themselves when taking on a character. Although there are a few really good character actors out there. So Hollywood manufactures illusion. Billions of dollars worth each year. The factories in Hollywood have great workers and great producers who risk it all for fame and riches. Pretending is very big business.
Politics includes a lot of pretending too. A policy position can be a moving target for a politician. Part of the profession has to include representing the views of constituents even when you do not believe in the position. Is that acting? Washington, D.C. deals in trillions of dollars and there is nothing pretentious about national security. Except maybe overselling the Iraq War with the notion of WMDs. Although Israelis sleep much better without Saddam. And Barack Obama could have been a huge movie star. Don't you think?
Ronald Reagan fused the two worlds like never before. Maybe the President Obama will become a movie star after he leaves office. The Terminator governs the biggest state in the Union. And Wall Street went Hollywood with all kinds of illusions, then turned to Washington, D.C. to cover its box office losses. Anyway. Enough for now. I love travelling between Washington, D.C. and Hollywood. And Washington, D.C. and New York. Now I just need to make the connection of travelling between Hollywood and New York. Then connect the traingle from Washington, D.C. to Hollywood to New York.
пятница, 29 января 2010 г.
The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) has launched a campaign called "This Is Our Moment" that includes a video of Hollywood celebrities encouraging the public to email their Senators to pass the Clean Energy Jobs & American Power Act (Boxer/Kerry)(S. 1733). This legislation promotes the development of clean energy technology and manufacturing in the fight against global warming.
Comcast and NBC Universal promised to beef up programming for minority viewers in their filing with the Federal Communication Commission in a bid to win federal regulatory approval of their proposed $30 billion merger. We applaud their sensitivity to this issue and hope to see more minority participation at the merged companies, particularly at the management and ownership levels. Of course, the politics of the deal provide some interesting perspectives. House Commerce Committee Chairman Henry Waxman (D-CA) wants hearings on Comcast/NBCU real soon and so does House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers. The proposed merger of Comcast and NBC Universal will be the first big test of the Obama administration’s stance on the issue of media consolidation. It could put the Obama administration and Democrats in Congress at odds with a few of their largest supporters.National Urban League President and CEO Marc H. Morial commented on news of a proposed merger:
The proposed Comcast-NBC Universal merger will benefit African American consumers if this new entity remains committed to minority hiring and diversity in entertainment and news programming. Both Comcast and NBC have a strong record in both respects. While it is too soon to make a definitive statement on the proposed merger, we look forward to hearing how we can work together to ensure that the positive culture of diversity that has marked both companies perseveres and becomes stronger at Comcast-NBC Universal.Of course, Laren Kelly of The Columbia Chronicle is critical of the merger:
When a handful of companies own the majority of media outlets, the consequences are very direct. Concentration of media limits the diversity of views, cuts out minority-owned businesses and ignores local issues.Comcast Corporation (Comcast) is not only the largest cable company in the United States, but also the largest internet service provider and the third largest home phone provider. Comcast has 25 million television subscribers, 15 million internet service costumers, and 6.4 million household telephone service accounts. Its current assembly of cable networks includes E!, Style, Golf Channel, and G4. NBC Universal, Inc. (NBCU) is a media and entertainment company created by the merger of General Electric's (GE) NBC and French Media Group's Vivendi Universal Entertainment (Vivendi). The two companies own 80% and 20% of NBCU respectively.
NBCU owns and operates 26 television stations, the Spanish language network Telemundo, and a dozen cable networks including USA, Barvo, Syfy, and CNBC. It also has a 27% stake in the internet venture Hulu. Vivendi has an annual option to sell its stake in NBC to GE between November 15th and December 10th of each year. Vivendi has been negotiating to get the best value for its investment, as the Comcast-GE agreement hedges on Vivendi's decision to exercise this option. GE has recently reached a tentative agreement with Vivendi to buy its stake in NBCU for $5.8 billion. Following a successful Vivendi buy out, GE would then sell 51% of its total ownership of NBCU to Comcast, who would merge its cable-TV channels and contribute $4 to $6 billion to the joint venture. Comcast is expected to buy the remaining 49% of NBCU from GE over the next seven years. (National Urban League, Illinois Business Law Journal, The Columbia Chronicle, 12/14/09)
четверг, 28 января 2010 г.
среда, 27 января 2010 г.
вторник, 26 января 2010 г.
понедельник, 25 января 2010 г.
By Environment Man
Green For All is sponsoring a new music video and art contest and the winning video, song, or art about creating opportunity through the green economy will be awarded $1,000 and a professionally shot video about the artist's story.
In "The Dream Reborn (My President is Green)" emcee and community organizer Markese Bryant, left, raps about the legacy of Dr. King, President Obama, and how a growing movement is creating opportunities for communities of color through the green economy. Green For All is featuring Markese's video as part of the promotion for the contest(s).
Markese Bryant (aka Doo Dat) knows firsthand the effects of pollution and poverty in his community. Now he's building the movement for an inclusive green economy through campus organizing and community education. Check out Markese’s music video, The Dream Reborn (My President is Green) below or on the Green For All page. Watch his personal story, share the Green For All page with friends, take action and submit your own art to The Dream Reborn Story Contest for a chance to win $1,000!
Green For All is sponsoring a new music video and art contest and the winning video, song, or art about creating opportunity through the green economy will be awarded $1,000 and a professionally shot video about the artist's story.
In "The Dream Reborn (My President is Green)" emcee and community organizer Markese Bryant, left, raps about the legacy of Dr. King, President Obama, and how a growing movement is creating opportunities for communities of color through the green economy. Green For All is featuring Markese's video as part of the promotion for the contest(s).Markese Bryant (aka Doo Dat) knows firsthand the effects of pollution and poverty in his community. Now he's building the movement for an inclusive green economy through campus organizing and community education. Check out Markese’s music video, The Dream Reborn (My President is Green) below or on the Green For All page. Watch his personal story, share the Green For All page with friends, take action and submit your own art to The Dream Reborn Story Contest for a chance to win $1,000!
By Holly Wood
The January 31st 52nd Annual CBS GRAMMY Awards includes a tribute to Michael Jackson that will feature a 3-D mini-movie for his "Earth Song." It will be the first time a major awards show broadcasts in 3-D and the audience at STAPLES Center will also be wearing 3-D glasses for the showing. CBS and Target have partnered to provide millions of free 3-D GRAMMY Glasses from Sunday, January 24 through Sunday January 31. Target stores nationwide will exclusively offer these 3-D GRAMMY glasses.
The January 31st 52nd Annual CBS GRAMMY Awards includes a tribute to Michael Jackson that will feature a 3-D mini-movie for his "Earth Song." It will be the first time a major awards show broadcasts in 3-D and the audience at STAPLES Center will also be wearing 3-D glasses for the showing. CBS and Target have partnered to provide millions of free 3-D GRAMMY Glasses from Sunday, January 24 through Sunday January 31. Target stores nationwide will exclusively offer these 3-D GRAMMY glasses.
The "Earth Song" video was shown as part of the “This Is It” movie. Michael was planning on showing 3-D videos at his concert. He would have beaten James Cameron and "Avatar" if the tour had started in July as planned. "Earth Song" is an ecology song about the destruction of our environment. Michael was just beginning to publicly express his deep feelings about the environment and the threat of climate change. Of course, dependging on the quality of the 3-D experience, many consumers might question the fact that if the technology already exists to broadcast 3-D to homes on current HDTVs, then why do we need new 3-D televisions? Answer: fad of having the latest gadget. Plus profits for television manufacturers and retailers.
By Holly Wood
The Conan O'Brien controversy with NBC isn't the only big time break up going on between a major network and a big star. Washington, D.C. radio legend Donnie Simpson, right, just ended his 32-year tenure with WPGC-FM, which is owned by CBS.
Simpson is an institution in Washington, D.C. Simpson, 55, is under contract until March of 2011, but has sought to end his association with the CBS-owned station that has employed him as its signature morning personality since 1993. Simpson has a "non-compete clause similar to Conan's. And like Conan's conflict with NBC, Simpson's departure follows months of declining ratings for his show and internal friction between Simpson and WPGC's management.
Simpson has been a radio personality since he was a teenager in Detroit, his home town. Before joining WPGC, he spent 16 years at WKYS-FM, helping to build it into a local powerhouse. He also gained national and international attention as the host of Black Entertainment Television's "Video Soul" program for almost 15 years. (Wash Post, 1/25/10)
The Conan O'Brien controversy with NBC isn't the only big time break up going on between a major network and a big star. Washington, D.C. radio legend Donnie Simpson, right, just ended his 32-year tenure with WPGC-FM, which is owned by CBS.Simpson is an institution in Washington, D.C. Simpson, 55, is under contract until March of 2011, but has sought to end his association with the CBS-owned station that has employed him as its signature morning personality since 1993. Simpson has a "non-compete clause similar to Conan's. And like Conan's conflict with NBC, Simpson's departure follows months of declining ratings for his show and internal friction between Simpson and WPGC's management.
Simpson has been a radio personality since he was a teenager in Detroit, his home town. Before joining WPGC, he spent 16 years at WKYS-FM, helping to build it into a local powerhouse. He also gained national and international attention as the host of Black Entertainment Television's "Video Soul" program for almost 15 years. (Wash Post, 1/25/10)
воскресенье, 24 января 2010 г.
суббота, 23 января 2010 г.
пятница, 22 января 2010 г.
четверг, 21 января 2010 г.
среда, 20 января 2010 г.
By Alan Smithee
Sounds like NBC is going to give "The Tonight Show" host Conan O'Brien a $30 million dollar exit package with another $10 million for his staff. Nice.
Sounds like Conan needs tax deductions.
See that donate button over there on the left Conan?
If you happen to read this piece, hit that button.
We recommend six figures.
Sounds like NBC is going to give "The Tonight Show" host Conan O'Brien a $30 million dollar exit package with another $10 million for his staff. Nice.Sounds like Conan needs tax deductions.
See that donate button over there on the left Conan?
If you happen to read this piece, hit that button.
We recommend six figures.
вторник, 19 января 2010 г.
понедельник, 18 января 2010 г.
By Holly Wood
UPDATE (1/24/10) - - "To Save A Life" had an opening weekend of $1.5 million on a production budget of $500,000 and playing in 441 theaters. (BoxOfficeMojo)
UPDATE (1/24/10) - - "To Save A Life" had an opening weekend of $1.5 million on a production budget of $500,000 and playing in 441 theaters. (BoxOfficeMojo)
Jim Britts, the youth pastor at New Song Community Church in Oceanside and a former film student at Biola University, and his wife, Rachel, converted teen angst into a screenplay. Their full-length feature film, "To Save A Life," opens Friday on 430 theater screens nationwide. The film examines the hypothesis that may be the most hurting and depressed generation of teens of all time. The film, shot during most of 2008, stars several successful Hollywood teen actors, including Randy Wayne ("Grizzly Park"), Deja Kreutzberg ("Law and Order," "CSI: Miami"), Kim Hidalgo ("The New Adventures of Old Christine") and Sean Michael Afable ("Akeelah and the Bee"). The film also employed dozens of North County residents, and numerous local volunteers, including many from New Song church.
Two of those residents include our president's Goddaughter Maya Mozon and her younger brother Orin, both pictured at left. Their parents, navy chaplain Ollis Mozon and psychologist mother, Almena Mozon, are Godfather/mother to our president's son. Orin has a speaking role in the film, while Maya and Almena are extras and pop up periodically in the background during the movie. Maya tells us about her experience:
Two of those residents include our president's Goddaughter Maya Mozon and her younger brother Orin, both pictured at left. Their parents, navy chaplain Ollis Mozon and psychologist mother, Almena Mozon, are Godfather/mother to our president's son. Orin has a speaking role in the film, while Maya and Almena are extras and pop up periodically in the background during the movie. Maya tells us about her experience:
"Seeing how filming worked from the inside was fascinating. I think a lot of the kids learned some things. I think the success of [faith-based] films shows there is a need."
Orin Mozon, a 17-year-old El Camino High School senior, plans to attend Point Loma Nazarene and major either in music and ministry, or film, believes "To Save A Life" carries an important message. He says:
"It's really about preventing teen suicide, and along with that, dealing with the loneliness so many teens feel. If we can prevent a suicide everywhere this film plays, we've accomplished something huge. I was there every day, doing whatever I could to help out. That's the way it was on this film, people from the community just showing up and helping out."
Britts, New Song's Executive Pastor Steve Foster and the church are producers, along with independent filmmaker Nicole Franco. Financing was raised, and eventually Samuel Goldwyn Films stepped in as distributor and marketer of the film. After the theatrical run, the film will be available for special licensing by youth and church groups, then enjoy a major DVD release. A novelization of the story is also now available in bookstores. (North County Times, 1/16/10--serving North San Diego & Southwest Riverside counties)
Orin quoted in FOX 5 News San Diego Clip below:
суббота, 16 января 2010 г.
By Jerry Kurl
Actor Danny Glover, right, has decided to take up the cause of global warming. We were unaware that he was interested in this issue. However, Mr. Glover appears to be a little misinformed about what global warming does and does not cause. He caused quite an uproar by saying the earthquake in Haiti resulted from global warming and the failure of the climate summit in Copenhagen.
If you want to get serious about this issue Danny, give us a call.
Actor Danny Glover, right, has decided to take up the cause of global warming. We were unaware that he was interested in this issue. However, Mr. Glover appears to be a little misinformed about what global warming does and does not cause. He caused quite an uproar by saying the earthquake in Haiti resulted from global warming and the failure of the climate summit in Copenhagen.If you want to get serious about this issue Danny, give us a call.
By Environment Man
Dick Gregory is the Godfather of the environmental movement, a founding board member of AAEA and we believe everybody in the world has met him in one way or another. Literally. So we believe that anybody in the world can connect themselves to him within seven contacts. Ours is a variation on the theme that any actor can be linked through his or her film roles to actor Kevin Bacon within six steps. Seven is a better number than six.
So share your stories with us about how you can connect yourself to Dick Gregory within seven contacts. I know Dick because he is my mentor and helped save my life. So I have a direct connection. But I know others have a connection within seven contacts. Come on folks, share.
Dick Gregory is the Godfather of the environmental movement, a founding board member of AAEA and we believe everybody in the world has met him in one way or another. Literally. So we believe that anybody in the world can connect themselves to him within seven contacts. Ours is a variation on the theme that any actor can be linked through his or her film roles to actor Kevin Bacon within six steps. Seven is a better number than six.So share your stories with us about how you can connect yourself to Dick Gregory within seven contacts. I know Dick because he is my mentor and helped save my life. So I have a direct connection. But I know others have a connection within seven contacts. Come on folks, share.
7 Degrees of Dick Gregory
By Alan Smithee
Everybody likes to see their own image (hopefully). But does it cross the line with celebrities? Are celebrities too involved with their own images to the point that it represents worship. Oh most probably believe in God, but do their day to day activities related to promoting and grooming themselves, in fact, represent the real source of their worshipful affection? I suspect that self-worship kind of comes with the territory in being a celebrity. More or less a job requirement.
But now that ANYBODY can be a celebrity, regardless of talent level or appearance, what does this occupationally-induced self worship really mean to the famous and to the public? It means that many celebrities are miserable because they can never live up to the perceived image of an earth-bound diety. Thus, drugs, drink, women and a losing battle with the mirror. Elvis, Michael, Marilyn and more. The public is always let down because the self worshipping celebrity is programmed to fail because a faux diety has no other alternative for their fans (worshippers). The bigger the star, the bigger the pill. Now we are sure that many celebrities submit to the one real God, but the allure of one's self image was even too much for some angels. What chance does a mere mortal celebrity have against such temptation. I guess we still want our star on the Walk of Fame.
Everybody likes to see their own image (hopefully). But does it cross the line with celebrities? Are celebrities too involved with their own images to the point that it represents worship. Oh most probably believe in God, but do their day to day activities related to promoting and grooming themselves, in fact, represent the real source of their worshipful affection? I suspect that self-worship kind of comes with the territory in being a celebrity. More or less a job requirement.
But now that ANYBODY can be a celebrity, regardless of talent level or appearance, what does this occupationally-induced self worship really mean to the famous and to the public? It means that many celebrities are miserable because they can never live up to the perceived image of an earth-bound diety. Thus, drugs, drink, women and a losing battle with the mirror. Elvis, Michael, Marilyn and more. The public is always let down because the self worshipping celebrity is programmed to fail because a faux diety has no other alternative for their fans (worshippers). The bigger the star, the bigger the pill. Now we are sure that many celebrities submit to the one real God, but the allure of one's self image was even too much for some angels. What chance does a mere mortal celebrity have against such temptation. I guess we still want our star on the Walk of Fame.
пятница, 15 января 2010 г.
By Holly Wood
I first really noticed Zoe Saldana, right, in "Guess Who," where she costarred with Ashton Kutcher and Bernie Mac in the remake of the Sidney Poitier classic, "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner." She was great.
Zoe, left as Neytiri, has taken off into the stratosphere - - more like the outerspaceousphere. To get leading roles in both "Star Trek" and "Avatar' is almost beyond belief. And dare I say it, for a black actress in Hollywood. Of course there will be sequels to these two incredibly successful films. And Zoe's star will shine even brighter. Go get them Zoe. We are with you all the way.
Zoe shocked everybody by being the love interest for Mr. Spock in "Star Trek." That was right up there with the Thing in "The Fantastic Four" having a blind black girlfriend.
Now I have to admit that it took me a minute to figure out when it was Zoe and when it was Thandie Newton, left. They do look a bit alike and sound alike. Both are thin. Thandie did rule in "Crash" and was wonderful in "Mission Impossible." Newton has also gone sci-fi in "The Chronicles of Riddick" and "2012." She was really great as an evil woman in "Riddick."
Zoe Saldana was born Zoe Yadira Zaldaña Nazario in New Jersey and raised in Queens, New York. Her father is of Dominican descent; her mother is Puerto Rican. (IMDb)
I first really noticed Zoe Saldana, right, in "Guess Who," where she costarred with Ashton Kutcher and Bernie Mac in the remake of the Sidney Poitier classic, "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner." She was great.Zoe, left as Neytiri, has taken off into the stratosphere - - more like the outerspaceousphere. To get leading roles in both "Star Trek" and "Avatar' is almost beyond belief. And dare I say it, for a black actress in Hollywood. Of course there will be sequels to these two incredibly successful films. And Zoe's star will shine even brighter. Go get them Zoe. We are with you all the way.
Zoe shocked everybody by being the love interest for Mr. Spock in "Star Trek." That was right up there with the Thing in "The Fantastic Four" having a blind black girlfriend.
Now I have to admit that it took me a minute to figure out when it was Zoe and when it was Thandie Newton, left. They do look a bit alike and sound alike. Both are thin. Thandie did rule in "Crash" and was wonderful in "Mission Impossible." Newton has also gone sci-fi in "The Chronicles of Riddick" and "2012." She was really great as an evil woman in "Riddick."Zoe Saldana was born Zoe Yadira Zaldaña Nazario in New Jersey and raised in Queens, New York. Her father is of Dominican descent; her mother is Puerto Rican. (IMDb)
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