May 2, 2012
‘Ultimate Spider-Man’ joins Disney XD
Super heroes are every child’s favorite role model. (Sorry, Mom and Dad.)
One of the most endearing — and enduring — super heroes is now flying high on Disney XD’s new animated series “Ultimate Spider-Man” from Marvel Animation.
In this series, 16-year-old Peter Parker (voiced by Drake Bell) is juggling the life of a teenager at Midtown High School with best friends, Mary-Jane Watson and Harry Osborn, who are clueless to his alter-ego identity of Spider-Man.
When Nick Fury (Chi McBride), head of S.H.I.E.L.D. (Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division) recruits him to join an elite group of four other teenage super heroes, Parker discovers how much he has to learn about discipline and honing his skills as an action hero.
“Usually, when we see Spider-Man, he’s a bit older,” says Joe Quesada, chief creative officer for Marvel. “This show chronicles his life as a teenager. He may have to deal with a chemistry test, as well as any test Nick Fury may give him. This is the first time we also see him in situations where he’s part of a team.”
The team, in this case, includes Nova (Sam Alexander), White Tiger (Ava Ayala), Power Man (Luke Cage) and Iron Fist (Danny Rand). Together, they battle to defeat evil villains in the Marvel Universe.
“It’s the kind of show that can be aimed at the family,” Quesada says. “Kids 6 to 8, in particular, will have a blast with it.”
Super heroes in the Marvel Universe were created in the early 1940s when the popularity of comic books was at its height. In the 1960s, Stan Lee modernized the idea of super heroes in collaboration with several artists, creating Spider-Man, the Hulk, the Fantastic Four and many other characters. (Stan Lee, by the way, plays Stan the Janitor on the show.)
“There’s always been an ebb and flow with the popularity of super heroes,” Quesada says. “Right now, comics are popular in all mediums. Hollywood’s looking at our source material as great fodder for movies. The Marvel movies are part of the Disney family. They appeal to a mainly male audience, and Disney was looking for a foothold in this boys-male arena. We have a long list of female super heroes, too.
He says that super heroes embody an ideal of the best in humanity, but the appeal of these characters lie in the fact that when they fail, they dust themselves off and try again.
“Spider-Man is not all powerful,” Quesada says. “He’s very human. Stan Lee looked at their alter-egos The person inside the costume is what’s most important. There are many lessons you can learn from Peter Parker and Spider-Man — never give up, even when things are dark; there are ways to solve problems, and with great power comes great responsibility.”
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New episodes of “Ultimate Spider-Man” air Sundays at 11 a.m., ET/PT on Marvel Universe on Disney XD.
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February 8, 2012
‘Never Land Pirates’ captures kids’ imaginations
Pre-schoolers may not know that they’re learning valuable lessons, but they sure love to rock with “Jake and the Never Land Pirates.”
The animated Disney Junior series will feature its first prime-time special on Monday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. Eastern, followed by its second second premiere on Monday, Feb. 20 at 8:30 a.m., featuring the adventures of Jake and his pals Izzy and Cubby on Pirate Island as they outwit the ever-greedy Mr. Smee, Captain Hook and his crew while hunting for treasure.
“Originally, Nancy Kanter (senior vice president, original programming and general manager of Disney Junior Worldwide), wanted to do a show with Disney heritage characters, Captain Hook and Mr. Smee,” explains Mark Seidenberg, producer and story editor for “Jake and the Never Land Pirates.” “Rob (LaDuca) and I were involved with developing the group of kids off Never Land, who became Jake, Izzy, Cubby, and Skully the Lookout Parrot.”
In the series, Peter Pan has gone off to explore the world beyond Never Land, putting his trusted crew in charge during his absence.
Rob LaDuca, executive producer of the show, says Never Land’s magical setting of tunnels and mermaid lagoons is a great place for finding treasures and battling Captain Hook for them, while teaching youngsters some important lessons.
“There’s action, adventure and involvement,” LaDuca says. “One theme, for example, is teamwork. We show how the kids work together to solve pirate problems. We might ask the kids to help us jump like a frog while exploring social and living problems that kids at that age are facing.”
Seidenberg says the characters on the show face dilemmas that mirror issues kids will identify with in stories that try to help them deal with their fears.
“Cubby, the youngest of the pirates, is afraid of the dark,” Seidenberg says. “Jake feels less than confident because Hook has stolen his sword. We want the kids in our audience to emotionally bond with our kids on the screen. The audience we’re going for is ages two to seven, but we’ve heard that some teenagers even watch the show.”
Both men also hold the same roles of executive producer and producer/story editor on Disney’s “Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, another series for preschoolers on Disney Junior.
“Writing for preschoolers entails a very different kind of thinking,” LaDuca says. “It’s interesting because you have to be more sensitive to younger kids’ issues, and you don’t want to show the obnoxious side of human nature. You want to focus on good deeds, and doing well in school.”
Characters are clearly portrayed as “good” and “bad” on the shows, but since younger children may frighten easily, meanness is softened, and “bad” characters are shown to make laughable decisions that fail.
“Emotional issues of wondering why people are mean, and trying to understand things at that age are important,” LaDuca says. “We stress teamwork on ‘Jake and the Never Land Pirates’ because they’re a crew. Music’s also very important to the show, so we try to pepper in little song ditties throughout.”
Seidenberg says the producers Googled ‘pirate rock’ and discovered the Portland rock musicians (Kevin Hendrickson and Loren Hoskins) who now perform as The Never Land Pirate Band, and the animated Sharky and Bones, Captain Hook’s crew, on the show.
“Mostly, we want the show to empower the littlest,” Seidenberg adds, “and to give them the message that you can overcome your fears.”
November 8, 2011
Hallmark ‘Countdown to Christmas’ begins
Christmas may come but once a year, but the Hallmark Channel produces a holiday extravaganza of original movies and holiday-themed programming designed to celebrate the spirit of love and joy, stretching from November to January.
This year’s “Countdown to Christmas” includes movies, animated specials, the Hollywood Christmas Parade and the 123rd Tournament of Roses Parade. Kicking off next weekend’s movie offerings is “Lucky Christmas,” airing Saturday, Nov. 12 at 8 p.m. Eastern.
When a single mom who’s struggling to make ends meet wins the lottery, she can’t believe her luck. Unfortunately, while Holly Ceroni (played by Elizabeth Berkley) has the winning number, she loses the ticket when her car is stolen, with the ticket inside. Mike Ronowski, the accidental beneficiary of the theft, is convinced by a greedy friend to romance Holly for a cut of the money to help save his family business.
Mike, of course, falls for Holly, and has to figure out how to make things right, just in time for Christmas.
“I read the script and thought it was really charming,” says Gray-Stanford, familiar to many as Lt. Randall Disher in the hit series “Monk.” “It’s a warm holiday piece about two wounded people who have a chance to open up their hearts, and then good things happen.”
He explains that his character Mike has returned home to help with the family business because of his father’s health issues, giving up his own dream of being an environmentally-conscious architect.
“Mike was wary of relationships, and was just focusing on the family business when he met Holly and her son,” Gray-Stanford says. “Meeting them moves him forward with his dream. He realizes how lovely Holly is, and how wonderful her son is. Once the facades break down, they’re both really similar people.”
Gray-Stanford, also known for his work in the Academy Award-winning film “A Beautiful Mind” and Clint Eastwood’s “Flag of Our Fathers,” says he enjoyed making a holiday film that talks about what’s important in life.
“I think we get sidetracked with work and other things,” he says. “People are scared of going after what they want. Sometimes, it’s easier to stick with the status quo than tackle the challenge. But life passes you by pretty quick, so you have to go after things.
“I hope people see that you can go for your dream. If you open your heart, people will come into your life and really support you. Even with adversity, just have faith and stick with it.”
Gray-Stanford, engaged to actress/writer Jes Macallen, is looking forward to getting married next year. As for his character on “Lucky Christmas,” he’s pretty sure that Mike and Holly spend the rest of their lives together, too.
For more information on this and other holiday fare on the Hallmark Channel, check out http://hallmarkchannel.com/.
September 8, 2011
‘The Space Between’ remembers 9/11
It’s hard to believe that the 10th anniversary of 9/11 is upon us.
When terrorists took control of four airplanes, crashing them into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and a field near Shanksville, Pa. — killing everyone on board — the world was united in its grief.
Since then, as the years have passed, the pain of grief has dulled, and the fear of others who are not like us has grown. Just as Americans hated and feared Asian Americans after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, many Americans today hold similar feelings of hate and anger against Arab Americans because of the al-Qaeda attacks.
When it comes to movies and TV, Arab Americans are often portrayed as the villains, and if you ask most Arab-American youngsters what stereotype do most people associate with Arab Americans, they won’t hesitate to say, “People think we’re terrorists.”
Combatting prejudice and hate is not a popular, or easy, task, so when a television network makes it a cornerstone of its brand to do so, we’ve got to stand up and cheer.
The USA Network will be presenting a Characters Unite film called “The Space Between,” starring Oscar and Golden Globe-winning actress Melissa Leo, on September 11 at 9 p.m. Eastern to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the tragedy.
The film chronicles what happens when Montine McLeod (Leo), a lonely flight attendant on a path of self-destruction, and Omar Hassan (portrayed by Anthony Keyvan), a 10-year-old Pakistani-American boy, are stranded together in Longview, Texas when planes are grounded the morning of 9/11.
When McLeod learns that Omar’s father works in the World Trade Center, she decides to drive him home herself. The two set off on a journey across country that brings unexpected companionship, acceptance, and hope for the future.
Following “The Space Between” will be the Oscar-winning short documentary film “Twin Towers” by Dick Wolfe, producer of the long running “Law & Order” franchise.
The evening’s programming, which promotes tolerance and acceptance, is part of USA Network’s Characters Unite Campaign to combat discrimination, an effort that includes on-air programming, public service announcements, digital content, and special events in communities and schools across the nation.
“We’re a network that can reach millions who tune in every night,” says Toby Graff, senior vice president of public affairs for the USA Network. “We wanted to do something special for 9/11 and learned of this powerful film (“The Space Between”) that debuted at the Tribecca Film Festival. These two people who take a journey across country discover that what makes them different is not as strong as what unites them.”
Using the power of storytelling, Characters Unite has started a national storytelling tour to raise awareness about prejudice, hate, and discrimination, and to bring people together in community and school events.
Graff says Mainstreet stage events have occurred in New York, New Orleans, Denver, Seattle, and Chicago where local cable affiliates in each market identified a high school with a diverse community to participate in storytelling workshops and city-wide events staged in partnership with The Moth, a non-profit organization dedicated to the art of storytelling.
In each city, five storytellers took to the stage with celebrity hosts, including Kristen Chenoweth, Angela Bassett and Peter Gallagher, to share powerful tales of discrimination. On the last day of the events, high school students in each of the cities joined the adult storytellers to share their experiences. The tour will continue this fall in cities yet to be announced.
“This all stems from a campaign that Bonnie Hammer (chairman of NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment and Cable Studios) launched in the mid-1990s called ‘Erase the Hate,’ to improve race relations,” Graff explains. “To fit with USA’s branding of Characters Welcome 10 years later, we wanted a way to reflect that every person is welcome and accepted. We wanted to make it broader than just race relations, so we expanded it to gender equality, people with disabilities, sexual orientation, any civil rights issue.”
Characters Unite now gives out awards to unsung heroes doing great work on civil and human rights issues, and is establishing partnerships with other organizations to inform, support, and inspire audiences to bridge cultural divides and overcome social injustices, tied to original programming.
“The country has changed in a lot of ways since 9/11, some for the better, some not so much,” Graff says. “We want to look back with respect at the tragedy of 9/11 and forward with renewing the spirit of being united as a country after that horrible tragedy. We want to concentrate on how we all can talk more with each other.”
August 9, 2011
‘Honeymoon’ leads to love
There’s nothing like a little heartache to make you stop in your tracks… or run away on a “Honeymoon for One.”
In a new Hallmark Channel movie, airing Saturday, Aug. 13 at 9 p.m. Eastern, Eve Parker, a high-powered advertising executive played by Nicollette Sheridan, discovers that her fiancé Greg (Patrick Baladi) is a cheating cad. Heartbroken, Eve cancels the wedding, and on an impulse, decides to go on their planned honeymoon to Ireland without him.
What she discovers, of course, challenges her sense of self, and brings her face to face with the kind of man she never dreamed she’d fall in love with.
“I like that Eve Parker was a straightforward character, all about business, and in need of broadening her horizons,” says Sheridan, a Golden Globe nominee for her role of Edie Britt on ABC’s “Desperate Housewives.” “It’s important to have movies that everyone can see. I was attracted to doing something that was good, clean, charming fun.”
“Honeymoon for One” is a sweet romantic comedy that shows what can happen when we’re brave enough to step outside our comfort zones. Sheridan’s character, who has been caught up in the business world for years, travels to the Emerald Isle in heels meant more for city sidewalks than the countryside, and promptly has a run-in with the hotel estate’s manager Sean, played by Greg Wise.
The Irish outdoorsman has no patience for city folk like the American businesswoman, who begins to understand the importance of family life and conserving the environment around us.
“I grew up in England, but never made it to Ireland,” Sheridan says. “The English countryside is very different from the wild Irish countryside. I fell in love with the horse I was riding in the film. His name was Star. I’ve been riding since I was three years old, but in the movie, my character doesn’t know how to ride.”
In real life, Sheridan owns four horses and has built a home in the mountains outside Los Angeles, designing a house that’s a cross between an English manor and French chateau.
“If you’re always putting your career first, every now and then, you need to stop and take a deep breath,” Sheridan says. “You need to see if you’re paying attention to your relationship or your children. For me, it’s about going into the mountains with my dog. You need to stop and take a good look at yourself throughout your life. Running away is never the answer. For as far as you can run, when you stop, it’s still you.”
Sheridan’s character Eve may be the stereotypical ugly American when she arrives in Ireland, but by the time her singular honeymoon ends, she becomes a passionate advocate for preserving the land and cultural heritage that Sean has taught her to love.
“In the end, Eve is so brave,” Sheridan says. “She gets on a white horse, finds Sean, and speaks the truth.”
So why do many of us hesitate to declare love so openly?
“It’s fear that the same sentiment won’t be returned, or that you’re putting yourself in a vulnerable position,” Sheridan says. “But life is about confronting your fears, and there’s nothing more empowering than confronting a fear, and walking through it.”
For a little inspiration on how that’s done, catch Hallmark Channel’s “Honeymoon for One.”
July 6, 2011
‘Torchwood’ returns to save the day
Captain Jack Harkness is one of the smartest, sexiest, and most charming heroes in television sci-fi. That’s because John Barrowman is one of the smartest, sexiest and most charming men… anywhere.
All right, I’ll stop drooling now.
“Torchwood: Miracle Day” premieres Friday, July 8 at 10 p.m. Eastern on Starz, continuing the adventures of the immortal Captain Jack, who once ran the Torchwood Institute, a secret British organization that investigated the strange and bizarre.
Now, when a new danger faces the planet, Captain Jack and his former colleague Gwen Cooper (Eve Myles) team up with American C.I.A. agents Rex Matheson (Mekhl Phifer) and Esther Drummond (Alexa Havins) to unravel the mystery behind a global phenomenon that threatens Mankind’s existence as we know it.
For suddenly, nobody dies. People continue to age, they can get injured and become sick, but they don’t die. Captain Jack, a time traveler from the 51st Century who knows the pros and cons of immortality all too well, finds himself in the middle of it all, trying to help others cope with what he’s lived with… well, forever.
“Some people will rise to the occasion and deal with it,” says Barrowman, sitting on the set in Burbank during a break in filming. “Others won’t. We have population issues, food issues. If you were decapitated, you’d still be in pain and alive, but couldn’t have your head reattached. It’s not a good thing to be immortal. There’s a lot of hurt and pain and sorrow that comes with it. Jack knows this because he’s immortal.”
In the third season finale of “Torchwood: Children of Earth,” which ran on the BBC, Captain Jack sacrificed his grandchild to save the human race, and decided that Torchwood should stay underground because of all the destruction it’s caused. Barrowman says if Starz had not brought “Torchwood” to the United States for a 10-episode run, the show would likely have continued on the BBC as a five-episode mini-series.
“Loyal fans were afraid it’d change if it came to the States, but we’ve kept the heart and soul of the show,” Barrowman says. “He’s the same Captain Jack — he’ s dark with a lot of secrets, but he sticks to his guns and his word. He’ll do anything to save the planet and the human race, and if that means sacrificing something, he’ll do it.”
Captain Jack is also a bisexual action hero, something that Barrowman says will be new to American audiences.
“In the UK, sexual orientation doesn’t matter on television,” says Barrowman, who is openly gay. “Characters are not looked at as being gay or straight. We have pre-watershed hours, before 9 p.m., where sex on screen is limited, but I love it that young men and women come up to me in the supermarket and say that Captain Jack is their hero.”
Barrowman, who holds dual U.S.-British citizenship, was born in Glasgow, Scotland and immigrated to the United States with his family at age 8, when his father was put in charge of the Caterpillar Tractor factory in Aurora, Ill. A love of music led to roles in musical productions on London’s West End and Broadway before he moved into television.
Also an accomplished recording artist, author, and TV host, Barrowman says he had the best of a European upbringing while learning the American work ethic of working hard and striving to achieve your dreams.
“My dad never handed things to us on a silver platter,” Barrowman says. “I was involved in sports, musicals, hung out with girlfriends who were cheerleaders, and was well traveled.
“I came out in my early 20s because I figured it was time I was honest with everybody. It was no surprise to my family. There was an adjustment period, but you have to allow your parents to have that adjustment period.”
Barrowman says he realized as he became a public figure in the UK that he could become a voice for those who don’t have one. He began to speak up, and not just about gay issues.
“I want to help integrate change in the world,” Barrowman says. “I have a platform, and I’m not afraid to express my opinions. I support cancer charities, rescuing homeless dogs, and support a children’s hospice near my home in South Wales.
“I’m very involved with the government in the UK, and have been invited to discuss sexual orientation issues at 10 Downing Street. It’s about live and let live. I’m not going to shove anything down your throat. I’m just fighting for my rights as a human being and an individual.”
Along the way, Barrowman will be fighting the villains on “Torchwood: Miracle Day,” no doubt winning over American fans with his… um, obvious charm.
“Captain Jack is omnisexual — known for his relationships with women and men,” Barrowman says, with a rakish smile. “This season, ‘Torchwood’ will be more edgy than before. There’s more darkness and trauma in store for Captain Jack, but as these new events happen, he also comes back a happier guy. It’s going to be great.”
April 21, 2011
Becoming a star entails hard work
The walls of the Children’s Division at The Campbell Agency are lined with photos of smiling, talented youngsters who are vying for modeling and acting jobs in the Dallas metropolitan area and beyond.
In the world of entertainment, where representation is often key to getting a child an audition for television and film, modeling, or voiceover work, it all starts with impressing the right agent.
While looks and talent are primary considerations, a child’s personality and the parent’s attitude are equally important factors in the eyes of agents who are bombarded by applicants who want to be Hollywood’s next bright star.
“I think part of it is the glamour, or perceived glamour,” says Barbara Blanchette, who handles the broadcast side of The Campbell Agency’s Children Division. “People don’t realize how much work is involved in this business. They think, ‘My kid’s cute and can do this.’ But it’s a lot more than that.”
To be cast in a TV show or film, for example, children must have the willingness to make fun of themselves, do silly things, and be outgoing without their parents being in the room. They must be able to bring whatever qualities they have to the part, interact with adults, and be able to handle the rejection if they’re not chosen.
“When kids come in, I like them to do extra work on shows when it’s available so that they can see what happens on set,” Blanchette says. “It’s a long day, and doesn’t pay much. People don’t realize how long you sit around and do nothing. It helps them make the decision on whether this is something they really want to pursue.”
A huge factor in whether a child is signed by the agency is the parents’ personality and attitude.
“If the parents are hard to deal with, I don’t care how cute or outgoing the child is,” Blanchette says. “We have too much to do to deal with parents who are going to be cranky or send in an e-mail every day about their child. Their child is not the only child we represent. It’s even worse if the parents annoy the client.”
The Campbell Agency receives 250 child submissions a week for openings that occur only when a child drops out of one of the various age and ethnicity groupings, which ensure that each child does not end up competing against numerous others with similar backgrounds inside the agency.
“We go through everything that comes in,” says Diana Dyer, director of children’s print for The Campbell Agency. “With print, look is more of a consideration. We like to have a wide variety of ethnicities because that’s what advertisers want now. We want children whose personalities come across when you meet them.”
Outside of Los Angeles and New York, Dyer says Dallas is a huge print market, with many department stores and commercial work for products being shot in the city. Chicago, Atlanta and Miami are also centers for print and film work.
The Campbell Agency can electronically submit its clients for jobs in other markets, but concentrates most of its efforts on local opportunities.
What do clients want? When it comes to choosing models in fashion photography, Dyer says, size — based on height — is the biggest factor. For commercials, age is key.
“Generally, advertisers want kids who are older than the age group they’re trying to target for their product,” Dyer says. “For example, Hasbro might want eight to 14 year olds in their ads. We get submissions from everywhere, but because of the turnaround time, it usually doesn’t work unless the child lives here. People call today (for shoots or auditions) tomorrow, and the parent has to be with the child.”
On the broadcast side, the demand for child actors begins about ages six to eight, when kids can read a script, up through the teen years. Blanchette says there’s not much demand for the “awkward braces age,” but jobs pick up again at 16 to 18.
Even when a child is accepted for representation, there are no guarantees of getting hired. For those who do work, compensation can range from several hundred to several thousand dollars a year. The average income ranges from $2,000 to $12,000 annually, minus the cost of providing the agency with the child’s photos, which are used to market the youngster. The more a child works, the higher the income.
“One girl made over $50,000 at age five,” Blanchette says. “One child, at 18 months old, did a Pampers box, and every six months, we negotiate to keep using the image. That child is now 10 years old, so if parents are smart and put the money away for the child, it can add up. Dallas is a smaller market to compete in, so it’s a great place for kids to build their credits and resumes.”
Beyond the money, both agents say there are more important benefits that children who work in the field receive.
“It builds self-esteem,” Blanchette says. “Kids learn to get out in front of people for auditions, and it it makes them less inhibited. On a film crew or commercial set, they’ll have 50 to 60 people out there, and they learn to accomplish what needs to be done in a certain time.”
Dyer says on the print side, children learn to follow directions and work with adults, which helps them follow instructions in school. The better they do in school, the more likely administrators are to let the kids out of class to attend auditions or to do jobs.
“The children who do well are a little bit more mature,” Dyer says. “Most of our kids are straight-A students and do extracurricular activities. We don’t want them to miss out on things growing up, like a Valentine’s Day party at school or birthday party. We think it’s important for them to have that normality.”
When it comes to finding a reputable agency, Blanchette recommends checking with your city’s film commission or with the Screen Actors Guild in Los Angeles (www.sag.org). She notes that a legitimate agency should never charge for representing a child.
And one last piece of advice to parents…
“Let your child be your guide,” Blanchette says. “If they want to do it, back them wholeheartedly. But if you want to do it, then you do it, and leave your child out of it.”
April 17, 2011
Lifetime film has royal appeal
When it comes to movies that appeal to women, Lifetime films focus on what matters most to their audience — stories that engage the heart about topics that viewers relate to.
The stories may be based on fictional escapades or real life dramas, but are told from a woman’s point of view, or center around women as the protagonists. Thankfully, the disease-of-the-week and victim-of-the-week stories are no longer standard fare.
This week, viewers who love romantic tales about princes and princesses will enjoy “William & Kate,” the story of how Prince William (Nico Evers-Swindell), second in line to the British throne, fell in love with his future princess, Kate Middleton (Camilla Luddington), the daughter of upper middle-class commoners.
The Lifetime Television Original Movie, which airs Monday, April 18 at 9 p.m. Eastern, will please romantics everywhere who are fascinated with the couple’s real life romance and who are sure to devour every detail of the royal wedding scheduled for April 29 in Westminster Abbey.
“Those of us who watched Princess Diana’s wedding will watch this movie,” says Tanya Lopez, Lifetime’s senior vice president of original movies. “ ‘William & Kate’ represents that for so much of America. It will be interesting to see if the next generation cares.”
Lopez says the decision to make a movie about the royal couple was made shortly after their engagement was announced last November. Frank Konigsberg, executive producer of the film, approached Lifetime with the project, which was quickly greenlit.
“We felt the romantic courting story would be dramatic in film,” Lopez says. “Women are interested in romance, and our fascination with princes and princesses is about that imaginary, dreamlike, wish fulfillment of having everything you want land at your feet. From ‘Cinderella’ to ‘Sleeping Beauty,’ we love the idea of ‘When will my prince come?’ “
Following “William & Kate” will be the first of six, one-hour episodes of the documentary series “Royal Wedding of a Lifetime,” which will examine the history of the couple’s romance, comparisons of Kate to Princess Diana, wedding fashion and cuisine, a preview of the event, and a look at the couple’s future together.
“I think women just love a good story,” Lopez says. “They love a romance as much as a true crime or escapist Nora Roberts fare. They want to be entertained, emotionally engaged, and told a good tale. We recently did a movie called ‘Craigslist Killer’ that’s a cautionary tale, and it was our most watched film in the last five years.”
Lopez, formerly a TV-packaging agent for ICM, says she grew up on television movies when mini-series events like “Roots” were popular.
“Lifetime is one of the few networks that believes TV movies are still a format that women love,” she notes. “Women don’t have a lot of time in their lives, which makes their viewing time precious. Everyone has different tastes, so that’s why we offer a variety, from true story form to the romantic.”
April 7, 2011
Find your ‘Lemonade Mouth’
Any film that has Debra Martin Chase as its producer is bound to have a message.
Fans of “The Princess Diaries,” “The Cheetah Girls,” or “Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants” franchises, which she also produced, know that her movies are also entertaining, uplifting and celebrate the real meaning of family.
Her newest Disney Channel Original Movie, “Lemonade Mouth,” premieres next week, Friday, April 15 at 8 p.m. Eastern, and looks to be another franchise hit. The film, about a group of disparate high school students whose love of music draws them together to form a powerhouse band, is based on the book “Lemonade Mouth” by Mark Peter Hughes.
“The story is all about believing in yourself, understanding that you have a voice, and that you deserve to be heard,” says Chase, sitting in her Burbank office. “It’s about the importance of friendship, and knowing that all things are possible. Woven into that is the message that everybody deserves to be respected, whether you’re a football player, a chess player, or a singer.”
These messages are shared through the relationships of a rich palette of characters. When Stella Yamada (Hayley Kiyoko), the rebellious new girl in town, finds herself in detention after school, she meets four classmates who are far from total deadbeats.
There’s Olivia White(Bridgit Mendler), a talented singer who must come to terms with an absent father; Wen Gifford (Adam Hicks), who hates his father’s new girlfriend; Mohini “Mo” Banjaree (Naomi Scott), who’s caught between her immigrant parents’ expectations and her need to truly be herself, and Charlie Delgado, (Blake Michael), who’s trying to escape his older brother’s shadow.
While the movie is aimed at the 8 to 14-year-old audience, the challenges facing the characters are ones that everyone will relate to.
“Eight to 14 is when you’re finding out how complicated the world is,” Chase says. “You’re coming into your own as an individual, and figuring out that you have a voice. There are so many images kids today are bombarded with. The pressure at school is so much more, the pressure to look a certain way and the competition is so intense.”
As the five friends begin to express themselves through music, they urge fellow classmates to act when they don’t like what’s going on around them, getting them in trouble with a school principal who just doesn’t get it. As the students deal with a rival band, they have to face their own differences and personal dilemmas.
The film stays true to the book’s messages, but a few changes were made for the teleplay. Originally set in Rhode Island, the movie was filmed in New Mexico, and takes place in the southwest. One character’s twin, who died at birth in the book, is not mentioned in the film.
Like most Disney Channel movies, diversity is writ large in the casting, which strengthens the storytelling and appeals to a wider audience.
“Diversity is hugely important for the Disney Channel, and for me,” says Chase, one of the most successful African-American producers in Hollywood. “We were looking for the best talent, with an eye toward diversity, and spent three months in an international search for the kids. Naomi’s character Mo, in the book, is all Indian, as she is in the film. Naomi was in London and auditioned through a teleconference because we were in such a time crunch.
“Hayley (Kiyoko) was a find. We wanted one of the kids to be Latino or black. Blake (Michael) sent a tape in from Atlanta. The Disney Channel does big regional auditions from time to time, so someone had laid eyes on him. The script was written by a woman, April Blair, and we had a fantastic female director, Patricia Riggen.”
The group gels as an ensemble cast and as the rock band that becomes the voice for a generation. More than 80 songs were submitted by top songwriters around the world for inclusion in the film, with 9 making the final cut.
Martin’s first “Cheetah Girls” movie was the first Disney Channel film to come out with a soundtrack, in response to requests from parents who wanted an album. The subsequent success of “High School Musical” and “Camp Rock” soundtracks helped to cement the popularity of musicals for today’s kids.
The producer says the songs in “Lemonade Mouth” clearly carry the messages of the film.
“ ‘She’s So Gone’ is an anthem about female empowerment,” Martin says. “ ‘Somebody’ makes me tear up. It’s tough to make movies that aren’t action or male comedy now. Everybody’s looking for the big tent-pole films. Making films about female empowerment is tough, but it could not be more needed than now.”
March 4, 2011
Hooray for Hollywood…
There’s nothing like unexpected visitors to get you out of the house and exploring parts of town you don’t often go to.
When my friends Lesley and Shane and their two children came to town on Oscar weekend, I suggested spending an afternoon in Hollywood. We weren’t invited onto the Red Carpet, but we enjoyed a few hours in the midst of the hubbub.
Being a wintry day, we popped into The Hollywood Museum where “10,000 REAL showbiz treasures” reside. Housed in the historic Max Factor building — once the headquarters of the cosmetics king who made the stars look fabulous — the museum features an extensive collection of show business memorabilia.
Stepping into the lobby, done in the Hollywood Regency Art Deco style of yore, is like taking a walk back in time to 1935, when the building first opened to stars like Joan Crawford, Claudette Colbert and Bette Davis, who came to the beauty salon for hair and makeup treatments.
Celebrity make-up rooms, painted in colors designed to flatter women with specific hair colors are maintained on the first floor (think mint green walls “for redheads” like Lucille Ball). The rooms are filled with photos of Hollywood’s leading ladies, costumes (like The Ruby Slippers that Judy Garland wore in “The Wizard of Oz”) and old fashioned versions of Max Factor powders, lipsticks and perfumes.
Factor, a pioneer in the field of movie makeup, is credited with inventing the first “thin” greasepaint used in filmmaking, lip gloss, and pancake make up.
Every generation, of course, is drawn to its own icons, so it was no surprise that Mikhaila, 10, and Ben, 6, headed for the Harry Potter display case in the lobby, which features shoes worn by Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson with a photo of the Hogwarts heroes putting their palms in cement across the street at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre forecourt.
With four floors of exhibits, there was plenty to interest all of us — from a look at “Harlow in Hollywood,” a special exhibit commemorating Jean Harlow’s 100th birthday, to displays on “Glee,” “Transformers” and “Star Trek.” The scary stuff was in the basement, where monster memorabilia and Hannibal Lecter’s jail cell from “The Silence of the Lambs” were the main attractions.
After a couple of hours, we moved from historic memories to an icon of living history — the El Capitan Theatre, a beautifully renovated movie house where Disney special events and film premieres are held. Built in 1926, the grandeur of years past can be experienced by audiences today who still enjoy live organ performances before each show.
My friends and I were escorted to seats on the main floor where we sat and looked at the ornate fixtures and old fashioned balcony section behind us. Done in an art moderne style, the East Indian interior was designed by San Francisco architect G. Albert Lansburgh. Since most movie theaters today are devoid of character, it was a real treat to sit in a true Hollywood landmark.
Before the show began, Mikhaila and I dashed out to the lobby to slather butter atop the popcorn that came in El Capitan plastic buckets (great for stashing everything from crayons to candy in later). We agreed that “movie popcorn is the best.”
Once the organist stopped playing, the lights went down, and a dazzling light show depicting Hollywood as the movie capital of the world came on. People may love the convenience of viewing movies on portable DVD players and TVs at home, but nothing beats watching a film on the silver screen with an audience who’s sharing the moment with you.
The movie of the moment for us was “Gnomeo & Juliet,” a delightful animated retelling of William Shakespeare’s play through the lives of garden gnomes caught up in a feud between the neighboring Red Cap Gnomes and the Blue Cap Gnomes. (I wish all GOP lawnmowers and Democratic flamingos would pay attention to this film.)
Then, despite bingeing on popcorn, we went in search of dinner after the show. Winding through the crowd on Hollywood Boulevard, we passed characters dressed like Spiderman (or was it Batman) and security guards directing foot traffic away from the Oscars Red Carpet set-ups.
A cold wind blew us into the Hard Rock Cafe, where the adults tried to converse over the loud music and the kids drew pictures with crayons and played with the video screen at the table. The food was decent, but I’ll never go there again without earplugs.
All too soon, it was time to end the day with a hooray for Hollywood, and heartfelt hugs with my friends… until the next visit.
