BARBRA STREISAND TO PERFORM ON THE OSCARS® FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 36 YEARS

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – Two-time Academy Award® winner Barbra Streisand, who has sung on the Oscars only once before, will perform on the upcoming Oscar® telecast on February 24. Streisand last sang the love theme from "A Star Is Born" on the March 28, 1977 show, winning the Best Original Song Oscar for "Evergreen" that same night.

 

"In an evening that celebrates the artistry of movies and music," said producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, "how could the telecast be complete without Barbra Streisand? We are honored that she has agreed to do a very special performance on this year's Oscars, her first time singing on the show in 36 years."

Streisand won her first Oscar for Best Actress in "Funny Girl" (1968), and was nominated again in 1973 for her lead performance in "The Way We Were." She was also nominated for producing the Best Picture nominee "The Prince of Tides" (1991), which she also directed, and for co-writing the original song "I Finally Found Someone" from "The Mirror Has Two Faces" (1996).

Oscars for outstanding film achievements of 2012 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, February 24, at the Dolby Theatre™ at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and will be hosted by Seth MacFarlane live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.

ABOUT CRAIG ZADAN AND NEIL MERON
Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are producers of critically acclaimed and award-winning feature films, television movies, series, and Broadway productions. Their feature films include The Bucket List, Footloose, Hairspray, and Chicago, which won six Academy Awards including one for "Best Picture." For television, they've produced films of "Steel Magnolias," "Life with Judy Garland," and "A Raisin in the Sun," among many others and the series "Smash" and "Drop Dead Diva." They recently returned to their roots in live theater by producing Broadway revivals of the Tony-winning "Promises, Promises" and the Tony-winning 50th Anniversary revival of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying."

ACADEMY ANNOUNCES MAJOR GIFT OF MOVIE POSTERS

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is pleased to announce that it has received a gift of 1,088 original movie posters from the golden age of Hollywood filmmaking. The posters have been donated by Dwight Cleveland, a Chicago real estate developer, who has amassed one of the largest and most historically significant collections of movie posters in the world.

The donated posters document the studio era of “B” movie filmmaking in the first half of the 20th century and include examples from Twentieth Century-Fox. A variety of genres are represented, including westerns, war films, musicals, biblical tales, and social problem films.

The gift, which will be housed in the Academy’s Margaret Herrick Library, fills some significant gaps in the Academy’s collection. “B-movies tap into the public consciousness and provide rich fodder for better understanding the times,” said Margaret Herrick Library Director Linda Mehr.

Mr. Cleveland began collecting in 1977 while still in high school, inspired after seeing film posters in an art teacher’s classroom. After moving to Los Angeles, Cleveland scoured the once-plentiful collector’s shops on Hollywood Boulevard for high-quality memorabilia. He continues to collect today.

“I really think that film posters are one of the very few truly indigenous art forms of our country,” Mr. Cleveland said. “By making these gifts, I hope to excite an appreciation for the works themselves among members of the general public and also set a good example for other collectors.”

“Dwight’s collection was a dream to receive. Not only was it very well organized, but the posters also were in excellent shape. Our staff is fairly certain he was a librarian in another lifetime,” said Anne Coco, the Herrick’s graphic arts librarian.

The Cleveland collection has been meticulously cataloged, conserved and photographed. Posters in the library’s collections are stored in climate-controlled vaults in Beverly Hills and may be accessed by filmmakers, historians, journalists, students and the general public. They are frequently shown at the Academy’s own exhibitions and loaned to cultural institutions worldwide.

For more information about Academy’s holdings, visit www.oscars.org.

NORAH JONES TO PERFORM NOMINATED SONG FROM "TED" LIVE ON OSCAR® TELECAST

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – Grammy® Award-winning singer-songwriter Norah Jones will perform “Everybody Needs a Best Friend” from the motion picture “Ted,” telecast producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. “Everybody Needs a Best Friend,” with music by Walter Murphy and lyrics by Seth MacFarlane, is nominated for an Original Song Oscar.  This will be Jones’s first time performing on an Oscar show.

"I had such a great time recording this song with Seth, and was thrilled to find out that it was nominated for an Oscar,” said Jones.  “Getting to perform it at such a prestigious event, which my friend is hosting, is a once in a lifetime opportunity."

 "We are happy to have Norah Jones perform Seth's and Walter Murphy's nominated song on our Oscar telecast," said producers Zadan and Meron. "We are big admirers of Norah's singing and she will help celebrate the unique circumstance of having an Oscar host who is also nominated for Best Original Song."

Jones emerged on the world stage with the 2002 release of her debut “Come Away With Me,” which sold more than 10 million copies and earned her five Grammy Awards. Since then, Jones has released a series of critically acclaimed and commercially successful solo albums – “Feels Like Home” (2004), “Not Too Late” (2007), “The Fall” (2009), and “Little Broken Hearts” (2012) – as well as two albums with her country collective, The Little Willies.  The 2010 compilation “...Featuring Norah Jones” showcased Jones’s versatility through collaborations with artists as diverse as Willie Nelson, Outkast, Herbie Hancock and Foo Fighters.

Jones’s songs have been featured many times on motion picture soundtracks, and she made her feature film acting debut in “My Blueberry Nights” in 2007.

Oscars® for outstanding film achievements of 2012 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, February 24, at the Dolby Theatre™ at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and will be hosted by Seth MacFarlane live on the ABC Television Network.  The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.

THE ACADEMY CREATES BRANCH FOR COSTUME DESIGNERS

Two New Governor Positions Added to
Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – The Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced the creation of the Costume Designers Branch. Costume designers had previously been a part of the Designers Branch, which also includes production designers, art directors and set decorators. Academy Governor Jeffrey Kurland will transfer to the newly created branch and eventually be joined by two additional governors.

"History was made at the Board of Governors meeting on Wednesday night with the formation of a Costume Designers Branch," said Kurland. "Costume designers have waited a long time for recognition with branch status. As a governor representing these designers, I'm thrilled and grateful for the Academy's support."

At the same meeting, the governors voted to increase the representation of the Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch from one to three governors. Two new governors will be chosen by election later this year to join current governor Leonard Engelman. The Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch, the most recent branch to be created, was formed in 2006.

"I'm looking forward to sharing the task of representing the Academy's makeup artists and hairstylists with two of my colleagues," Engelman said. "New governors will bring new ideas, which will help to keep the Academy's leadership strong and sharp."


"Congratulations to our members from these essential craft areas. Movies are a visual medium and costume designers, makeup artists, and hairstylists help to create images that tell stories," said Academy President Hawk Koch. "This recognition is richly deserved."

These decisions were voted at the regularly scheduled Board meeting on Wednesday, January 23, and will take effect in July after Board elections are held. The new Costume Designers Branch governors and the two new Makeup Artists and Hairstylists Branch governors will bring the size of the Academy's Board to 48 members, with three governors representing each of the 16 branches.

OSCARS® TO FEATURE TRIBUTE TO MOVIE MUSICALS OF THE LAST DECADE

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – The Oscars will include a special celebration of movie musicals of the last ten years, the telecast's producers announced today.

"The musical as a motion picture genre has had a remarkable renaissance in the last decade," said producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron.  "We are excited to showcase three musical films—‘Chicago,’ ‘Dreamgirls’ and ‘Les Misérables’— on our Oscar® show."

Oscars for outstanding film achievements of 2012 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, February 24 at the Dolby Theatre™ at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and will be hosted by Seth MacFarlane live on the ABC Television Network.  The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.

ABOUT CRAIG ZADAN AND NEIL MERON

Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are producers of critically acclaimed and award-winning feature films, television movies, series, and Broadway productions.  Their feature films include The Bucket List, Footloose, Hairspray, and Chicago, which won six Academy Awards including one for “Best Picture.”  For television, they’ve produced films of “Steel Magnolias,” "Life with Judy Garland," and "A Raisin in the Sun," among many others and the series “Smash” and “Drop Dead Diva.”  They recently returned to their roots in live theater by producing Broadway revivals of the Tony-winning “Promises, Promises” and the Tony-winning 50th Anniversary revival of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.”

ADELE TO PERFORM ACADEMY AWARD®-NOMINATED SONG FROM “SKYFALL” AT OSCARS®

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – Multi-platinum selling singer-songwriter Adele will perform the Oscar®-nominated theme song from the latest James Bond movie at the 85th Academy Awards®, the show's producers announced today.  "Skyfall," from the film of the same name, was announced as a nominee for Original Song at the Academy’s Nominations Announcement on January 10.   The song, written by Adele and Paul Epworth, is the first Bond theme ever to debut in Billboard's Top 10 and the first to be nominated for an Oscar since "For Your Eyes Only" in 1981.

Adele's exclusive Oscar show performance will be the first time she will have performed "Skyfall" anywhere live and will also mark her first U.S. television performance since the Grammys® last year.

"It's an honour to be nominated and terrifyingly wonderful to be singing in front of people who have captured my imagination over and over again,” said Adele. “It's something I've never experienced and probably only ever will once!"

"We have enormous respect for Adele's unique artistry as a songwriter and a singer," said Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, the producers of this year's Academy Awards show.  "She is currently one of the most successful recording artists in the world, and we believe that her performance of 'Skyfall' will be an exciting Oscar moment for audiences watching at the Dolby Theatre™ and on television screens around the world."

Oscar.com celebrates Adele's performance with a special gallery of some of the most memorable James Bond theme songs through the years: http://oscar.go.com/photos/themed-galleries/movies/bond-theme-songs

Oscars for outstanding film achievements of 2012 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, February 24, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and will be hosted by Seth MacFarlane live on the ABC Television Network.  The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.

ABOUT CRAIG ZADAN AND NEIL MERON

Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are producers of critically acclaimed and award-winning feature films, television movies, series, and Broadway productions.  Their feature films include The Bucket List, Footloose, Hairspray, and Chicago, which won six Academy Awards including one for “Best Picture.”  For television, they’ve produced films of “Steel Magnolias,” "Life with Judy Garland," and "A Raisin in the Sun," among many others and the series “Smash” and “Drop Dead Diva.”  They recently returned to their roots in live theater by producing Broadway revivals of the Tony-winning “Promises, Promises” and the Tony-winning 50th Anniversary revival of “How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying.” 

SAVE MURALS IN LOS ANGELES! RESTORATION, NOT REPLACEMENT!

THE FUTURE OF MURALS IN LOS ANGELES?

Los Angeles has historically been respected as a leader in public art innovation.

The former "Mural Capital of the World" once proudly displayed over 3,600 murals throughout the city!  Now, the decade long ban on murals has devastated LA’s collection of public art works, and less than 1,300 remain.

HOW DID WE GO FROM THIS?...

...TO THIS?

Los Angeles is known for its rich historic legacy of mural painting and public art. The intention of this letter is to preserve the great tradition of murals in LA and insure the highest standards of restoration and conservation are afforded to Los Angeles’ historic, current, and future public art works.

The international standards of restoration/conservation include requirements that artworks must be restored in their original medium, for example, acrylic painting are restored with acrylic paint, oil painting are restored in oil, marble sculptures are restored with marble.

This insures the maximum integrity of the artwork and preserves its original state. It also allows the restored areas to fuse and amalgamate with the original medium (paint, stone, clay, etc.). If the original medium is not used the restored areas will not permanently adhere, but quickly separate, from the original areas, and the restoration will be unsuccessful, or temporary at best. Improper restorations are a waste of resources, and often increase damage to the original piece.

Using digitally printed vinyl to restore a painted mural is in complete violation of the international standards of mural restoration as set forth by the American Institute for Conservation of Historic & Artistic Works (AIC) , European Confederation of Conservator/Restorers’ Organisations (ECCO), Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles (MCLA) and all other renowned art conservation/restoration organizations.

We oblige the Los Angeles City Council to adhere to the international standards of mural conservation in creating the new mural ordinance. Disregard for these standards will result in the degradation of public art works in LA and may ultimately result in the exchange of the former title as, "Mural Capital of the World” for the new titles, "Billboard Capital of the World" and the "Public Art World".

Please preserve the historic works and legacy of mural painting in Los Angeles. Abide by international standards and help LA regain the title "Mural Capital of the World."

Thank you.
Siqueiros Foundation of the Arts

SOURCE: United Painters and Public Artists, Mural Conservancy of Los Angeles, Conservancy of Urban Art

ACADEMY ANNOUNCES 2013 GOVERNORS BALL CREATIVE TEAM

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – Academy governor Jeffrey Kurland, event producer Cheryl Cecchetto and master chef Wolfgang Puck will return to create this year's Governors Ball, the Academy's official post-Oscar® celebration, which will immediately follow the 85th Academy Awards® ceremony on Sunday, February 24. The 1,500 guests of the Governors Ball include Academy Award® winners and nominees, show presenters and other telecast participants.

As the chair of the Governors Ball, Kurland will oversee the décor, menu and entertainment planning, as well as design the attire to be worn by the evening's staff. Kurland is an acclaimed costume designer whose feature credits include "Hannah and Her Sisters," "Radio Days," "Crimes and Misdemeanors," "My Best Friend's Wedding," "Erin Brockovich," "Ocean's Eleven," "Collateral," "Law Abiding Citizen," "Inception," "The Dictator" and the upcoming "Beautiful Creatures." He received an Oscar nomination for Costume Design for "Bullets over Broadway." This will be Jeffrey Kurland's fourth year serving as the chair of the Governors Ball.

Cecchetto, along with her Sequoia Productions team, will work with Kurland to manage every detail pertaining to the event, including décor, entertainment, food and personnel. Guests will celebrate the night under a sparkling 120-foot chandelier in an intimate ballroom designed in warm shades of aubergine, chartreuse and champagne. An 18-foot golden Oscar will be the centerpiece of the ballroom floor. This will be Cecchetto's 24th consecutive year producing the Governors Ball. Sequoia Productions' clients include The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, G'Day USA – Australia Week, Children's Hospital Los Angeles and Westfield.

Puck, along with chef Matt Bencivenga, will create the menu featuring more than 50 imaginative dishes, from one-bite hors d'oeuvres to small-plate entrees that will be passed throughout the evening. The menu, which includes such signature favorites as smoked salmon Oscars®, chicken pot pie with shaved black truffles, and mini Kobe burgers with aged cheddar and remoulade, will incorporate local produce and sustainable seafood. Modern presentations such as Japanese baby peach salad, steamed red snapper with Thai spice, and tuna Niçoise style with green olives, will add excitement, while diverse vegan dishes including kale salad with grilled artichoke and lemon vinaigrette, beluga lentils with cauliflower and baby vegetables, and farro with apple, beet and spiced walnut are a new focus. Elegant seasonal desserts, featuring ribbons of shaved ice cream and Concord grape, are inspired by the Ball décor. This will be Puck's 19th consecutive year creating the menu for the Governors Ball.

The Governors Ball will take place in The Ray Dolby Ballroom on the top level of the Hollywood & Highland Center® immediately following the Oscar telecast.

Oscars for outstanding film achievements of 2012 will be presented on Sunday, February 24, 2013, at the Dolby Theatre™ at Hollywood & Highland Center, and will be hosted by Seth MacFarlane live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.

SOURCE The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Bio-K+®, A UNIQUE FORMULA, TO PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN RISK REDUCTION OF C.DIFFICILE IN MEDICAL SETTINGS

As a Bio-K+ Brand Ambassador, The "IN" Show is on the priority list for receiving breaking news concerning Bio-K+; and, so are you!

Recently, Canada’s health association has recognized Bio-K+ Probiotics for its proven ability to aid in the prevention of Clostrium Difficile  or C.diff, an intestinal virus that can sometimes have terminal effects.  This is a first for Bio-K+ and possibly the first time a natural supplement has been acknowledged for its medical efficacy.

Press Release: TORONTO, Jan. 16, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Today, Bio-K Plus International Inc., a leading Canadian biotechnology company, announced that Health Canada has approved its exclusive and patented Bio-K+® probiotic formula to help reduce the risk of Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) infections in hospitalized patients and those in long-term care facilities. Based on solid clinical evidence published in prestigious medical journals, including the American Journal of Gastroenterology, this approval is confirmation that Bio-K+® is a proven safe and effective product. Despite all preventive measures used, C. difficile still remains a high cause of hospital acquired infections (HAIs) responsible for over 1,000 Canadian deaths yearly unrelated to the cause of hospitalization. Health professionals can benefit from this effective product to protect their patients and help fight C. difficile infection at a very low cost compared to C. difficile treatment.

Although the company continues its R&D program, the clinical results published to date, on this unique product, have demonstrated its potential of reducing the risk of this prevalent disease. Health Canada's approval is further support for the product's role in prevention of C. difficile associated diarrhea," said Dr. Donald Low, Microbiologist-in-Chief at Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto.


Making Our Healthcare System Safer
A Canadian hospital study found that of 136,877 hospital admissions, 1 in 100 patients will contract a C. difficile infection, and of those, 1 in 10 will die regardless of the initial reasons for admission.
"Bio-K+® is an innovative product that works to reduce the risk of hospital acquired or antibiotic-associated C. difficile infections. Health Canada's approval of Bio-K+® represents a milestone in further recognizing the importance of such products in the prevention landscape," said Dr. Ian Bookman, Gastroenterologist at St. Joseph's Health Center in Toronto.


In Quebec, there were 3,934 C. difficile infections resulting in 619 deaths (i.e. 16% of infected patients) between 2010 - 2011. Since 2004, the Pierre-Le-Gardeur Hospital in Montreal, reacting to a major outbreak, has used Bio-K+® on its formulary and also provides the product to all patients treated with antibiotics with no exclusion factors, as a risk reduction measure to control C. difficile.


"Our hospital has almost 9 years of pharmaco-vigilance with more than 40,000 patients using Bio-K+® products with no serious adverse events reported and we have maintained one of the lowest rates of C. difficile in the Province of Quebec," said Dr. Pierre-Jean Maziade, Microbiologist and Head Officer of Infection Preventions at Pierre-Le-Gardeur Hospital, Montreal.


Preventing C. difficile Infections Could Save Our Healthcare System Over $200 Million
Over the last decade, a virulent strain of C. difficile (NAP1/027) spread in hospitals and caused many outbreaks, which has resulted in increased patient deaths, increased human suffering and increased care costs related to this epidemic. The decreased rate of C. difficile following Bio-K+® administration to hospitalized patients translates into major financial savings as demonstrated in a 2012 published pharmacoeconomic study.

"A hospitalized patient who receives Bio-K+® 100 cfu administered concomitantly with the antibiotic therapy generates a cost-savings of $2,700 per patient versus a patient who receives the same antibiotics without Bio-K+® - a potential savings of over $200 million to our healthcare system annually. These savings come over and above reduction in mortality rate and recurrence cost associated with C. difficile," said Dr. Jacques LeLorier, Chief, Pharmacoepiodemiology and Pharmacoeconomic Research, Hotel-Dieu Hospital, CHUM, Montreal.


Health Canada's approval of Bio-K+® provides Healthcare Professionals an efficient tool in their daily practice to reduce C. difficile infection, save lives and reduce health care costs.


"This is an important step that will help thousands of patients. It will prevent unnecessary suffering, improve their general health and even save their lives. The healthcare system could also be saving millions of dollars." said Dr. Jacques Besson, President of the Association for Victims of Nosocomial Infections (ADVIN).


About Bio-K Plus International Inc.
Bio-K Plus International Inc. is a Canadian biotechnology company, committed to medical research and to develop breakthrough innovative products capable of improving human health and quality of life.  The company has over 100 employees in Canada and the United States. Bio-K+® is a quality probiotic product that is distinguished by its exclusive and patented formula. It is available in fermented drinks or enteric-coated capsules, dispensed in hospitals, pharmacies, health food stores and supermarkets in North America. The company is also GMP certified by NSF International. This certification confirms the commitment of the company to provide high quality products of international standards. www.biokplus.com .


SOURCE: Bio-K+ International Inc.

40TH ANNIVERSARY STUDENT ACADEMY AWARDS® COMPETITION NOW UNDERWAY

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is now accepting entries for the 40th Anniversary Student Academy Awards competition in 2013.  Gold, Silver and Bronze Medal awards, along with cash prizes, may be presented to student filmmakers in the following categories:  Alternative, Animation, Narrative, Documentary and Foreign Student Film.

The rules and online application forms are available at www.oscars.org/saa.

The U.S. competition is open to all full-time college and university students at accredited institutions, whose films are made within the curricular structure of a film program or class at their respective schools.  For 2013, the Academy has again limited the accepted accreditation agencies for U.S. institutions to the following: Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools; New England Association of Schools and Colleges; North Central Association of Colleges and Schools; Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities; Western Association of Schools and Colleges; and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.  U.S. entries must be submitted by Monday, April 1, 2013.

In the Foreign Student Film category, entries are accepted only from full-time college and university students attending schools that are members of the international film school organization known as CILECT (www.cilect.org) and located outside the borders of the United States.  The deadline to submit a foreign student film for consideration is Friday, March 22, 2013.

The 40th Annual Student Academy Awards presentation will be held on Saturday, June 8, 2013, at the Academy’s Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills.

The Academy established the Student Academy Awards in 1972 to support and encourage excellence in filmmaking at the collegiate level.  Past Student Academy Award® winners have gone on to receive 43 Oscar® nominations and have won or shared eight awards.  They include Pete Docter (1992), John Lasseter (1979 and 1980), Spike Lee (1983), Trey Parker (1993) and Robert Zemeckis (1975).

SOURCE The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

ACADEMY TO HONOR BILL TAYLOR WITH BONNER MEDAL

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – Visual effects supervisor and director of photography Bill Taylor has been voted the John A. Bonner Medal of Commendation by the Board of Governors of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

The award – a medallion – will be presented at the Scientific and Technical Awards presentation on Saturday, February 9, at The Beverly Hills Hotel.

Taylor is the co-founder of Illusion Arts, where he worked on the visual effects of more than 200 films. His visual effects supervisor credits include "Lawless," "Public Enemies," "Milk" and "Bruce Almighty." He has co-authored, with Petro Vlahos, chapters on bluescreen and greenscreen compositing in both the American Cinematographer Manual and The VES Handbook of Visual Effects.

In 1981 Taylor earned a Technical Achievement Award for the concept and specifications for a Two-Format, Rotating Head, Aerial Image Optical Printer.

Taylor first joined the Academy in 1972. He served on the Academy's Board of Governors representing the Visual Effects Branch for five terms and was a founding co-chair, with Ray Feeney, of the Science and Technology Council.

Named in honor of the late director of special projects at Warner Hollywood Studios, the John A. Bonner Medal is awarded for "outstanding service and dedication in upholding the high standards of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences."

Portions of the Scientific and Technical Awards Presentation will be included in the Oscar® telecast.

Academy Awards® for outstanding film achievements of 2012 will be presented on Sunday, February 24, 2013, at the Dolby Theatre™ at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide

SOURCE: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

85TH OSCARS® TO FEATURE SPECIAL CELEBRATION OF JAMES BOND

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – The 85th Academy Awards® will include a tribute to the James Bond movie franchise, which is celebrating its 50th Anniversary this year, the telecast's producers announced today.

"We are very happy to include a special sequence on our show saluting the Bond films on their 50th birthday," said producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. "Starting with 'Dr. No' back in 1962, the 007 movies have become the longest-running motion picture franchise in history and a beloved global phenomenon."

The 85th Academy Awards nominations will be announced live on Thursday, January 10, 2013, at 5:30 a.m. PT in the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2012 will be presented on Oscar® Sunday, February 24, 2013, at the Dolby Theatre™ at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.

ABOUT CRAIG ZADAN AND NEIL MERON
Craig Zadan and Neil Meron are producers of critically acclaimed and award-winning feature films, television movies, series, and Broadway productions. Their feature films include "The Bucket List", "Footloose", "Hairspray", and "Chicago", which won six Academy Awards including one for Best Picture. For television, they've produced films of "Steel Magnolias," "Life with Judy Garland," and "A Raisin in the Sun," among many others and the series "Smash" and "Drop Dead Diva." They recently returned to their roots in live theater by producing Broadway revivals of the Tony-winning "Promises, Promises" and the Tony-winning 50th Anniversary revival of "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying." 

Entertainment Veteran Steven Dunning: First Guest for 2013 on The IN Show!

UPDATE: Entertainment veteran Steven Dunning was our first Special Guest for 2013, on The "IN" Show. If his story wasn't true, it would be the basis for any Hollywood feature: From humble beginnings to the heights of Hollywood! Steven's rise through the labyrinth of Hollywood is a story worth hearing. To here is Keynote Speech from GIFF-Los Angeles 2012, go here.

---

"Are You Ready For Hollywood?"

Steven Dunning is a Director, Writer, and Producer of Domestic and International films, television, music and online products. His forte? Handling management of large creative teams, budgets, diverse projects with specific goals and solutions from concept to public acceptance through all current media and distribution channels.

Steven was raised in a small farming community of rural Pennsylvania. His strong work ethic and individual dreams pushed him to tell stories for the masses that could inspire the individual in us all. Leaving everything behind he came to Los Angeles -alone - years ago. Going door to door in the Entertainment Capital of the world, he worked endlessly with no pay and proved his desire. This led to paid work, but still at the very bottom of the ladder. Determination and a clear goal kept him climbing over the bumps along the way. Production Assistant, Production Coordinator, Production Manager, Director of Photography, Post-Production Supervisor, Associate Producer, Writer, Producer, Director: This was the path taken over the years.

Having previously worked for Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment inside of Universal Studios, Steven's weekly delivery to NBC of prime time shows strengthened his production and post-production expertise. He has worked in multiple production roles over the years with the following: Universal Studios, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., Wayfarer Studios NYC, Amblin Entertainment, HBO, NBC, PBS, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Nike, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, General Motors, Levi-Strauss, American Red Cross, BMW, McDonald’s, AT&T, and many more. He has also worked with such entertainment icons as Michael Jackson, Madonna, Metallica, George Burns, Boyz to Men, Mariah Carey, Silk and others.

Along with continuing feature film projects, international co-productions and broadcasts, Dunning's past work was at Playtone, for Tom Hanks, on domestic projects like the Emmy Award winning HBO series “From the Earth to the Moon,” and for Twentieth Century Fox with Chris Carter at 1013 Productions. Also, his working at HBO overseeing the syndication projects for “Sex and the City”, “Sopranos” and “Arliss” while additionally combining his music and film work producing creative show elements for Lionel Richie’s European tour.

Using his wealth of knowledge, experience and mettle, Steven Dunning presented his question, "Are You Ready For Hollywood," at the GI FilmFest Hollywood.

Hollywood and Music Insider

While at Darque Pictures, Steven Dunning wrote, produced and directed the multi award-winning feature “Now Chinatown” which traveled and scored on the world festival circuit and now resides at Blockbuster, Netflix, Barnes and Noble and all other major retailers. Voted Top Ten dvd of the year by Einsiders.com with Lord of the Rings, Monsters Inc., Beauty and the Beast, Amelie, Reservoir Dogs and E.T.. With excellent reviews from The Los Angeles Times and four-star reviews from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Steven was happy to screen it for the Golden Globe members in a private setting garnering four-star reviews.

Steven augmented his stable when he added a record label releasing “The Next Santana”- Cesar. Cesar has performed all through Europe as a solo artist. He also performed with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, Frank Sinatra, Al Dimeola, recorded with producer Bebu Silvetti (Luis Miguel, Placido Domingo), and currently meeting with Andrea Bocelli and The Gipsy Kings for performing services. Dunning’s relationship with the USO and Armed Forces Entertainment has already netted tours for his artist Cesar, including Iraq and the Middle East, from where Steven returned from a month of shooting reality programming.

Improving the Lives of Others

Steven Dunning has agreed to open a joint-venture with Beijing (Peking) University for a film/television/music college for the oldest and most prestigious university in the one billion plus emerging market. The school in China is set to include a separate commercial entity for producing and promoting foreign film/television/music productions.

Additionally, Dunning is frequently invited as a special guest lecturer at American and International universities such as The Beijing Film Academy, Florida Pacific University, California State University, Cal Poly, amongst others. He serves on the Cal Poly (California State Polytechnic University) Advisory Board for their new entertainment business, law and marketing degree program and holds the honor of being a proctor at Harvard University.

Steven Dunning also founded the “The Greater Good Award” to recognize those who sacrifice themselves in order to benefit many more around them.

Currently at NBCUniversal, Steven Dunning continues his work in final delivery of finished products, both feature film and television.

Former National Co-lead of the NBCUniversal Veterans Network, he has worked with and continues to support myriad charitable organizations, the Pentagon and White House. As an original core member of the high profile Got Your Six campaign, supported by luminaries Tom Hanks, Michael Douglas, Jay Leno, Jessica Chastain, etc., in and outside of work he aims to help all Veterans and family members by bringing awareness and solutions to these issues nationwide: www.gotyour6.org .

The Got Your 6 Campaign is creating a new conversation in America where Veterans and Military Families are perceived as leaders and civic assets. Dunning's work with the Got Your 6 Campaign has been honored by the Army. He was one of five who were given the Outstanding Civilian Service Award Medal* as presented by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno.

Steven shared, "I grew up around Valley Forge, and as a kid I always would think of the sacrifice members of the military have endured over the years so all of us can live free lives. This award is such an honor. If there is one thing I would like to tell every American, if I could, it would be to take time and honor the military members and their families for all that they do for us."

*The Army Outstanding Civilian Service Award Medal is the third highest honor within the Department of the Army civilian awards scheme and is presented to civilians for service that makes a substantial contribution to the Army and its Soldiers.

9 SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENTS TO BE HONORED WITH ACADEMY AWARDS®

BEVERLY HILLS, CA – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences today announced that nine scientific and technical achievements represented by 25 individual award recipients will be honored at its annual Scientific and Technical Awards Presentation at The Beverly Hills Hotel on Saturday, February 9, 2013.

Unlike other Academy Awards to be presented this year, achievements receiving Scientific and Technical Awards need not have been developed and introduced during 2012. Rather, the achievements must demonstrate a proven record of contributing significant value to the process of making motion pictures.

The Academy Awards for scientific and technical achievements are:

Technical Achievement Award (Academy Certificate)
To J.P. Lewis, Matt Cordner and Nickson Fong for the invention and publication of the Pose Space Deformation technique.
Pose Space Deformation (PSD) introduced the use of novel sparse data interpolation techniques to the task of shape interpolation. The controllability and ease of achieving artistic intent have led to PSD being a foundational technique in the creation of computer–generated characters.

To Lawrence Kesteloot, Drew Olbrich and Daniel Wexler for the creation of the Light system for computer graphics lighting at PDI/DreamWorks.
Virtually unchanged from its original incarnation over 15 years ago, Light is still in continuous use due to its emphasis on interactive responsiveness, final–quality interactive render preview, scalable architecture and powerful user–configurable spreadsheet interface.

To Steve LaVietes, Brian Hall and Jeremy Selan for the creation of the Katana computer graphics scene management and lighting software at Sony Pictures Imageworks.
Katana's unique design, featuring a deferred evaluation procedural node–graph, provides a highly efficient lighting and rendering workflow. It allows artists to non–destructively edit scenes too complex to fit into computer memory, at scales ranging from a single object up to an entire detailed city.

To Theodore Kim, Nils Thuerey, Markus Gross and Doug James for the invention, publication and dissemination of Wavelet Turbulence software.

This technique allowed for fast, art–directable creation of highly detailed gas simulation, making it easier for the artist to control the appearance these effects in the final image.

To Richard Mall for the design and development of the Matthews Max Menace Arm.

Highly sophisticated and well–engineered, the Max Menace Arm is a safe and adjustable device that allows rapid, precise positioning of lighting fixtures, cameras or accessories. On–set or on location, this compact and highly portable structure is often used where access is limited due to restrictions on attaching equipment to existing surfaces.

Scientific and Engineering Award (Academy Plaque)

To Simon Clutterbuck, James Jacobs and Dr. Richard Dorling for the development of the Tissue Physically–Based Character Simulation Framework.

This framework faithfully and robustly simulates the effects of anatomical structures underlying a character's skin. The resulting dynamic and secondary motions provide a new level of realism to computer–generated creatures.

To Dr. Philip McLauchlan, Allan Jaenicke, John–Paul Smith and Ross Shain for the creation of the Mocha planar tracking and rotoscoping software at Imagineer Systems Ltd.

Mocha provides robust planar–tracking even when there are no clearly defined points in the image. Its effectiveness, ease of use, and ability to exchange rotoscoping data with other image processing tools have resulted in widespread adoption of the software in the visual effects industry.

To Joe Murtha, William Frederick and Jim Markland of Anton/Bauer, Inc. for the design and creation of the CINE VCLX Portable Power System.
The CINE VCLX provides extended run–times and flexibility, allowing users to power cameras and other supplementary equipment required for production. This high–capacity battery system is also matched to the high–demand, always–on digital cinema cameras.

Academy Award® of Merit (Oscar® Statuette)
To Cooke Optics Limited for their continuing innovation in the design, development and manufacture of advanced camera lenses that have helped define the look of motion pictures over the last century.
Since their first series of motion picture lenses, Cooke Optics has continued to create optical innovations decade after decade. Producing what is commonly referred to as the "Cooke Look," these lenses have often been the lens of choice for creative cinematographers worldwide.

Portions of the Scientific and Technical Awards Presentation will be included in the Oscar telecast.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2012 will be presented on Sunday, February 24, 2013, at the Dolby Theatre™ at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live on the ABC Television Network.The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.