PBS Announces Second Season of Original Drama Series MERCY STREET
- Civil War Era Series’ Premiere Drew Strong Audience of More Than 5.7 Million Viewers –
ARLINGTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--PBS announced today that it has given the greenlight to a second season of MERCY STREET, PBS’ first original drama in more than a decade. The first season, executive produced by Ridley Scott (The Martian, Gladiator, Thelma and Louise); David W. Zucker (“The Good Wife” and “The Man in the High Castle”) of Scott Free; Lisa Q. Wolfinger (“Desperate Crossing, The untold story of the Mayflower”) and David Zabel (“ER”), drew a 3.85 rating (Nielsen Live + 7) for the January 17, 2016, premiere, reaching more than 5.7 million viewers (persons 2+). The series’ six episodes have streamed 2 million times (from January 14-February 28) across all platforms, including PBS station websites, PBS.org and PBS apps for iOS, Android, FireTV, ROKU, Apple TV, Xbox 360 and Windows 10.
NEWS: Mercy Street will return for a second season on @PBS.
MERCY STREET trended nationally on Twitter for more than two hours on its January 17 premiere and was the #2 most social broadcast drama on TV that night (Source: Nielsen, 1/17/16, ranked on unique authors/tweets/impressions). The series also trended nationally during its third and sixth episodes. The MERCY STREET website has had more than 600,000 unique visitors since its launch (December 21, 2015-February 28). The site is dedicated to connecting fans to the real history behind the drama. Visitors can create tintype-style photos, read about the real life events that inspired each episode, flip through historical photographs and take a quiz on Civil War medicine.
“We are thrilled with the overwhelmingly positive response to MERCY STREET and the return of high-quality American drama on PBS stations,” said Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Officer and General Manager, General Audience Programming, PBS. “We’re looking forward to a second season offering more fascinating stories inspired by historical events. The effort from everyone involved, including the producers, directors, historical consultants, actors and PBS stations, resulted in an extraordinary series that exemplifies PBS’ world-class programming.”
MERCY STREET’s first season took place in the spring of 1862 in Alexandria, Virginia, a border town between North and South and the longest-occupied Confederate city of the war. Ruled under martial law, Alexandria was the central melting pot of the region, filled with civilians, female volunteers, doctors, wounded soldiers from both sides, free blacks, enslaved and contraband (escaped slaves living behind Union lines) African Americans, prostitutes, speculators and spies. MERCY STREET follows the lives of all of these characters, who collide at Mansion House, the Green family’s luxury hotel, which has been taken over and transformed into a Union Army hospital.
Season two picks up directly from the dramatic events at the end of the season one finale, continuing to explore the growing chaos within Alexandria, the complicated interpersonal dynamics of Dr. Foster, Nurse Mary and the Mansion House staff, the increasingly precarious position of the Green family and the changing predicament of the burgeoning black population. The season will introduce a number of new elements, taking us closer to the fight and into the halls of Confederate power, all set against the intensifying war, starting with the Seven Days’ Battle and culminating with Antietam.
“It has been a privilege for all of us on MERCY STREET to be able to tell these stories at the intersection of drama and history, and we are thrilled to have the opportunity to build on what we’ve already done,” said co-creator and executive producer David Zabel. “The quality entertainment and educational value that MERCY STREET provides have made the show a perfect fit for PBS, and we’re elated that the first season has resonated with its audience.”
“The success of season one of MERCY STREET proves how captivating this series is and how viewers have identified and connected with the characters’ lives, even during a much different time in our nation’s history,” said executive producer David W. Zucker. “We are looking forward to continuing to expand on these important themes with the next season.”
“Several years ago, I went searching for a fresh take on the Civil War and stumbled on the world of Union-occupied Alexandria, Virginia,” said co-creator and executive producer Lisa Q. Wolfinger. “The history inspired us to create a complex ensemble drama about life on the home front told from multiple points of view: women, African Americans, doctors and civilians. This wasn’t easy or glamorous history; it wasn’t about battles and glory; this was challenging material rife with provocative themes and fully three-dimensional and often flawed characters. In so many ways, PBS was the perfect fit for us. The fact that MERCY STREET has been so well-received by PBS’ audiences is exhilarating. We are looking forward to season two and the opportunity to expand our storylines while digging deeper into this pivotal time in American history.”
The ensemble cast for season two of MERCY STREET includes Mary Elizabeth Winstead (“The Returned,” The Spectacular Now) as nurse Mary Phinney, Josh Radnor (“How I Met Your Mother,” Liberal Arts, Broadway’s Disgraced) as Dr. Jedediah Foster, Gary Cole (“Veep,” “The Good Wife,” “Entourage”) as James Green, Sr., Hannah James as Emma Green, Brad Koed Jr. as James Green, Jr., Norbert Leo Butz (“Bloodline”) as Dr. Byron Hale, Tara Summers (“You’re the Worst,” “Rake,” “Boston Legal”) as nurse Anne Hastings, McKinley Belcher III (“Show Me a Hero,” “Chicago PD”) as Samuel Diggs, Jack Falahee (“How to Get Away With Murder”) as Frank Stringfellow, AnnaSophia Robb (“The Carrie Diaries,” The Way, Way Back, Bridge to Terabithia) as Alice Green, Donna Murphy (“Resurrection,” “Hindsight,” Broadway’s Passion and The King and I) as Jane Green, Suzanne Bertish (“Rome”) as Hospital Matron Brannan, and Luke Macfarlane (“Brothers and Sisters,” “Over There”) as Chaplain Hopkins.
“I am so pleased that MERCY STREET has already had such tremendous success and will be returning to Virginia to film season two,” said Governor Terry McAuliffe. “This outstanding show is a great illustration of the enormous opportunities Virginia offers to film and television producers and to tourists who enjoy history and natural beauty. I hope everyone will continue to support MERCY STREET and take advantage of our many exceptional Civil War sites and attractions, particularly those in Alexandria, where the original story of MERCY STREET took place, and in Central Virginia where the PBS series is filmed.”
To ensure historical accuracy of the first season, the producers engaged a team of advisors headed by noted historian Dr. James M. “Jim” McPherson and including leading experts on Civil War medicine, military history, African-American history, women in the Civil War era and more. McPherson will return for season two along with Shauna Devine (Learning From the Wounded, the Civil War and the Rise of Medical Science), Jane Schultz (Women at the Front: Hospital Workers in Civil War America), Audrey Davis, director of the Alexandria Black History Museum, and Anya Jabour (Scarlett’s Sisters, Young Women in the Old South). New additions include James Downs, (Sick from Freedom: African American illness and suffering during the Civil War and Reconstruction) an Andrew Mellon New Directions Fellow at Harvard University; Dr. Anthony Tizzano, a member of the clinical faculty of obstetrics and gynecology at Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Clinic’s Lerner College of Medicine; Walton Owen, ex-curator of the Fort Ward museum in Alexandria, VA; Dr. Gordon Dammann, founder of the National Museum of Civil War Medicine; and Jay Sexton, (Debtor Diplomacy; Finance and American Foreign Relations in the Civil War era.) director of the Rothermere American Institute.
Leading up to and during the first season of MERCY STREET, PBS stations held more than 30 screening events resulting in thousands of attendees.
PBS LearningMedia introduced a special collection of Civil War-inspired videos from the PBS Digital Studios series THE GOOD STUFF. The series targets middle and high school students and teachers, with each 5-7 minute show designed to correspond to MERCY STREET’s themes, while framing topics for social studies and U.S. history classrooms. So far the episodes have drawn more than 65,000 views across Digital Studios, LearningMedia and the pbs.org/mercystreet sites.
The full second season will be available on Blu-ray and DVD from PBS Distribution: ShopPBS.org; 800-PLAY-PBS, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The film will also be available for digital download. Season one can be purchased now.
Amazon Prime Video is the exclusive premium subscription streaming home for MERCY STREET, with each episode available to Prime members in the U.S. seven days after its broadcast on PBS stations.
MERCY STREET season one was made possible by the Anne Ray Charitable Trust, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, Virginia Tourism, Visit Alexandria, FAGE and public television viewers.
MERCY STREET is a production of Scott Free Productions and Lone Wolf Media. Executive producers: Ridley Scott, David W. Zucker and co-creator Lisa Q. Wolfinger and David Zabel; co-executive producer Clayton Krueger; producer David Rosemont.
About Scott Free Productions
Scott Free Productions is the film and television production company of acclaimed film director Ridley Scott. In the 20 years since Scott Free was formed, the company has earned over 70 Emmy nominations with 20 wins, and 20 Golden Globe nominations for its highly acclaimed television projects, which include: the Peabody Award-winning “The Good Wife,” which is in its seventh and final season on CBS; a series adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s classic “The Man in the High Castle” for Amazon; the Civil War medical drama “Mercy Street,” PBS’ first scripted series in over a decade; “BrainDead” a satiric-thriller CBS summer series from Robert and Michelle King; and the acclaimed “Killing” telefilms (“Killing Kennedy” “Killing Lincoln” and “Killing Jesus”) for National Geographic, each of which premiered to record numbers for the channel. Current productions in 2016 include: “Taboo” for FX and BBC; “Killing Reagan” for National Geographic; “The Terror” for AMC; “Sensory” for CBS; and “JCVJ” for Amazon.
Lone Wolf Media
Lone Wolf Media is an independent television production company with a longstanding reputation for developing and producing award-winning programming across a variety of genres. Founded in 1997 by Kirk and Lisa Q. Wolfinger, Lone Wolf Media has grown since then to become a leader in factual entertainment. Recent primetime specials include “D Day in HD” for History Channel and THE BOMB for PBS. Current projects include a 9/11 special about the attack on the Pentagon for PBS and a series of programs about World War 1 for Smithsonian Network. President and owner Lisa Q. Wolfinger created the new PBS American drama concept in collaboration with David Zabel, showrunner and lead writer on NBC’s hit series “ER.” MERCY STREET was inspired by the sesquicentennial of the Civil War and a shared passion for history.
PBS Distribution
PBS Distribution is the leading media distributor for the public television community, both domestically and internationally, extending the reach of programs beyond broadcast while generating revenue for the public television system and our production partners.
PBS Distribution offers a diverse range of programming to our customers, including Ken Burns’s films, documentaries from award-winning series such as NOVA, FRONTLINE, AMERICAN MASTERS, NATURE and AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, dramas from MASTERPIECE, as well as films from independent producers and popular children’s programming. As a multi-channel distributor, PBS Distribution offers consumers high-quality content in multiple formats, including DVD, Blu-ray, digital download and digital streaming. PBS Distribution is also a leading source for factual content for international broadcast, cable and satellite services.
About PBS
PBS, with 350 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches more than 100 million people through television and nearly 33 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS’ premier children’s TV programming and its website, pbskids.org, are parents’ and teachers’ most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the Internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter.
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Friday, March 11, 2016
Serena Williams the Subject of New EPIX Documentary
EPIX Serves Up Original Documentary ‘Serena’
Set to Make Its World Television Premiere on June 22, 2016 at 8pm ET/PT, 7C
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Premium TV network EPIX® announced today that the EPIX Original Documentary Serena, an intimate portrait of 4-time Olympic Gold Medalist and International sports icon Serena Williams, will make its World Television Premiere on EPIX on June 22, 2016 at 8pm ET/PT, 7C. The feature-length documentary provides viewers with unprecedented access inside the world of the athlete-designer-businesswoman, including day-in-the-life interactions with her family and friends, plus her most trusted colleagues and fiercest competitors. Shot verité style – Serena explores the pressures that come with being number one in the world, and Williams unflinching commitment and drive to succeed, ultimately emphasizing the humanity under all of her accomplishments.
Mark S. Greenberg, President and CEO of EPIX, said: “Serena is a personal journey during which we are privileged to follow one woman’s incredible march to achieve a level of greatness that so few tennis players have achieved in the history of the sport. The film presents us with a captivating vision of this world-class athlete while offering the viewer rare insight into what makes Serena Williams the person she is beyond the court. Serena transcends the world of tennis and is sure to fascinate viewers across the country.”
Remarked Serena Williams: "2015 was a defining time in my life and career. I think my story will be relatable to audiences whether you love tennis or not. It’s a story of perseverance, failure and triumph. It’s the most intimate I’ve ever allowed myself to be on film. It was a scary but ultimately really gratifying experience, which I’m hoping inspires others to pursue their dreams. I’m really grateful to EPIX for this incredible opportunity and the care they’ve shown me. Can’t wait for you all to see it."
For Serena, the documentary team was provided unparalleled access. Viewers will be witness to the external pressures and vulnerabilities Williams faces in her quest to achieve four Grand Slams in a row (a “Serena Slam”), and her losses at the 2015 U.S. Open and 2016 Australian Open. In addition, the film takes an unprecedented look at Williams’ life off the court as the filmmakers capture intimate and unguarded moments with her family and inner circle of coaches, trainers and friends.
Join the conversation about Serena on Twitter with #Serena and visit http://www.epix.com/serena
Serena, an EPIX Original Documentary is produced by Matthew Goldberg and Brandon Carroll – Film 45, and directed by Ryan White. The executive producer is Peter Berg. Jocelyn Diaz, Ross Bernard and Jill Burkhart are the executive producers for EPIX. Valerie Bishop is the producer for EPIX.
For photos and more information about EPIX programming log on to: http://press.epixhd.com.
About EPIX
EPIX is a premium entertainment network delivering the latest movie releases, the biggest classic film franchises, original documentaries, comedy and music events on TV, on demand, online and on digital devices. Launched in October 2009, EPIX has pioneered the development and proliferation of “TV Everywhere.” It was the first premium network to provide multi-platform access to its content online at EPIX.com and to launch on Xbox, PlayStation®, Android phones and tablets, and Roku® players. EPIX is also available across Chromecast, Apple® iPhones® and iPads®, Android TV and more and is the only premium service providing all its programming on all platforms, delivering more movies than any other premium network, with thousands of titles available for streaming.
EPIX is a joint venture between Viacom Inc., its Paramount Pictures unit, Lionsgate and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM). Through relationships with cable, satellite and telco partners, EPIX is available to over 50 million homes nationwide. For more information about EPIX, go towww.EPIX.com. Follow EPIX on Twitter @EpixHD (http://www.twitter.com/EpixHD) and on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/EPIX), YouTube (http://youtube.com/EPIX), Instagram (http://instagram.com/EPIX), Google+ (http://plus.google.com/+EPIX), Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/EPIX) and Vine (https://vine.co/EPIX).
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Set to Make Its World Television Premiere on June 22, 2016 at 8pm ET/PT, 7C
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Premium TV network EPIX® announced today that the EPIX Original Documentary Serena, an intimate portrait of 4-time Olympic Gold Medalist and International sports icon Serena Williams, will make its World Television Premiere on EPIX on June 22, 2016 at 8pm ET/PT, 7C. The feature-length documentary provides viewers with unprecedented access inside the world of the athlete-designer-businesswoman, including day-in-the-life interactions with her family and friends, plus her most trusted colleagues and fiercest competitors. Shot verité style – Serena explores the pressures that come with being number one in the world, and Williams unflinching commitment and drive to succeed, ultimately emphasizing the humanity under all of her accomplishments.
Mark S. Greenberg, President and CEO of EPIX, said: “Serena is a personal journey during which we are privileged to follow one woman’s incredible march to achieve a level of greatness that so few tennis players have achieved in the history of the sport. The film presents us with a captivating vision of this world-class athlete while offering the viewer rare insight into what makes Serena Williams the person she is beyond the court. Serena transcends the world of tennis and is sure to fascinate viewers across the country.”
Remarked Serena Williams: "2015 was a defining time in my life and career. I think my story will be relatable to audiences whether you love tennis or not. It’s a story of perseverance, failure and triumph. It’s the most intimate I’ve ever allowed myself to be on film. It was a scary but ultimately really gratifying experience, which I’m hoping inspires others to pursue their dreams. I’m really grateful to EPIX for this incredible opportunity and the care they’ve shown me. Can’t wait for you all to see it."
For Serena, the documentary team was provided unparalleled access. Viewers will be witness to the external pressures and vulnerabilities Williams faces in her quest to achieve four Grand Slams in a row (a “Serena Slam”), and her losses at the 2015 U.S. Open and 2016 Australian Open. In addition, the film takes an unprecedented look at Williams’ life off the court as the filmmakers capture intimate and unguarded moments with her family and inner circle of coaches, trainers and friends.
Join the conversation about Serena on Twitter with #Serena and visit http://www.epix.com/serena
Serena, an EPIX Original Documentary is produced by Matthew Goldberg and Brandon Carroll – Film 45, and directed by Ryan White. The executive producer is Peter Berg. Jocelyn Diaz, Ross Bernard and Jill Burkhart are the executive producers for EPIX. Valerie Bishop is the producer for EPIX.
For photos and more information about EPIX programming log on to: http://press.epixhd.com.
About EPIX
EPIX is a premium entertainment network delivering the latest movie releases, the biggest classic film franchises, original documentaries, comedy and music events on TV, on demand, online and on digital devices. Launched in October 2009, EPIX has pioneered the development and proliferation of “TV Everywhere.” It was the first premium network to provide multi-platform access to its content online at EPIX.com and to launch on Xbox, PlayStation®, Android phones and tablets, and Roku® players. EPIX is also available across Chromecast, Apple® iPhones® and iPads®, Android TV and more and is the only premium service providing all its programming on all platforms, delivering more movies than any other premium network, with thousands of titles available for streaming.
EPIX is a joint venture between Viacom Inc., its Paramount Pictures unit, Lionsgate and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios Inc. (MGM). Through relationships with cable, satellite and telco partners, EPIX is available to over 50 million homes nationwide. For more information about EPIX, go towww.EPIX.com. Follow EPIX on Twitter @EpixHD (http://www.twitter.com/EpixHD) and on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/EPIX), YouTube (http://youtube.com/EPIX), Instagram (http://instagram.com/EPIX), Google+ (http://plus.google.com/+EPIX), Pinterest (http://pinterest.com/EPIX) and Vine (https://vine.co/EPIX).
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Thursday, March 10, 2016
TwoMorrows Spreads "Comic Book Fever"
TwoMorrows Publishing infects fans with Comic Book Fever this June
Author George Khoury's celebration of 1976-86 comics is a love-letter to his personal Golden Age
(Raleigh, NC) On June 22, TwoMorrows Publishing will expose fans to Comic Book Fever, their infectious new book celebrating comics from the magical era of 1976-1986, when comics offered all different genres to any kid with a pocketful of coins, at local establishments from 7-Elevens to their local drug store. George Khoury (author of The Extraordinary Works of Alan Moore, Kimota: The Miracleman Companion, and Image Comics: The Road to Independence) spent years penning this love letter to his personal golden age of comics, covering all the things that made those comics great—the top artists, the coolest stories, and even the best ads.
Inside this 240-page full-color hardcover ($39.95 cover price) are new articles, interviews, and images about the people, places, characters, titles, moments, and good times that inspired and thrilled fans in the Bronze Age: Neal Adams, John Romita, George Pérez, Marv Wolfman, Alan Moore, Denny O’Neil, Jim Starlin, José Luis García-López, The Hernandez Brothers, The Buscema Brothers, Stan Lee, Jack Davis, Jack Kirby, Kevin Eastman, Chris Claremont, Gerry Conway, Frank Miller and others.
It also covers the phenoms that delighted Baby Boomers, Generation X, and beyond: Uncanny X-Men, New Teen Titans, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Love and Rockets, Crisis On Infinite Earths, Superman vs. Spider-Man, Archie Comics, Harvey Comics, Kiss, Star Wars, Rom, Hostess Cake ads, Slurpee cups, Grit(!), and other milestones.
Kevin Eastman (co-creator of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) can't wait for it. (http://conta.cc/1QGsysf)
Reviewer Dan Greenfield declares this book to be "the Bible of the post-Baby Boom". (http://bit.ly/24SJnrv)
Even the MEGO Museum message boards are ablaze with love for the book. (http://bit.ly/1U4YoCH)
With cover art and Introduction by superstar painter Alex Ross (featuring the character Snyderman from those unforgettable 1970s mail order ads), Comic Book Fever will send readers on a trip back in time to re-experience those epic stories, and feel the heat of that era once again. It is currently spotlighted and available for ordering in the March issue of Diamond Comic Distributor's Previews catalog, Item #MAR161774, and will be in comic book shops and bookstores worldwide on June 22. It can also be pre-ordered at TwoMorrows Publishing's website: www.twomorrows.com
For over two decades, TwoMorrows has been the future of comics history.
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"Voltron: Legendary Defender" Heads to 2016 WonderCon
ON MARCH 25TH, 2016 THE SECRETS OF THE UNIVERSE WILL BE REVEALED
VOLTRON returns in 2016 with an all-new Netflix Original Series from DreamWorks Animation Television. Join Executive Producer Joaquim Dos Santos (The Legend of Korra, Avatar: The Last Airbender), Co-Executive Producer Lauren Montgomery (The Legend of Korra), writer Tim Hedrick (The Legend of Korra, Avatar: The Last Airbender) and special guests at WonderCon 2016 to learn all about Voltron: Legendary Defender.
WonderCon Panel: DreamWorks Animation's Voltron: Legendary Defender
From days of long ago, from uncharted regions of the universe comes the Netflix Original Series from DreamWorks Animation – Voltron: Legendary Defender. Hosted by Nerdist's Jessica Chobot, join Executive Producer Joaquim Dos Santos (The Legend of Korra, Avatar: The Last Airbender), Co-Executive Producer Lauren Montgomery (The Legend of Korra), writer Tim Hedrick (The Legend of Korra, Avatar: The Last Airbender) and special guests as they unite to form this years can’t-miss panel of WonderCon 2016! Be the first in the galaxy to get a sneak peek of this highly-anticipated event, as DreamWorks Animation unveils never-before-seen artwork and footage of the all-new series. Panel attendees will receive a WonderCon exclusive limited edition Voltron lithograph. Friday, March 25th, 2016, ROOM 151, 6:00 – 7:00pm
VOLTRON Showrunners:
JOAQUIM DOS SANTOS
Executive Producer, VOLTRON: LEGENDARY DEFENDER
Annie Award-winning director-producer Joaquim Dos Santos began his career as a storyboard artist at Sony animation before moving to Warner Bros. Animation in 2001. While there he sharpened his storyboarding skills on Justice League and Teen Titans before being promoted to director on Justice League: Unlimited. This led to work as a storyboard artist and director on Nickelodeon’s popular children’s shows Avatar: The Last Airbender followed by a move to supervising director/art director on the Adult Swim series G.I. Joe: Resolute for Hasbro. In 2010 Joaquim returned to Warner Bros where he produced and directed a series of animated shorts based on popular DC comic book characters The Specter, Jonah Hex, Green Arrow and Shazam. Not long after he was once again reunited with his ATLA crew, this time in the role of co-executive producer on the critically acclaimed series The Legend of Korra, for which he earned an Emmy nomination. Dos Santos has been fortunate enough to work alongside some of the most well respected creative talents in the industry and his 16 plus years of experience have prepared him for his role as executive producer and showrunner of DreamWorks Animation’s VOLTRON: LEGENDARY DEFENDER, which premieres on Netflix in 2016.
LAUREN MONTGOMERY
Co-Executive Producer, VOLTRON: LEGENDARY DEFENDER
Lauren Montgomery is a highly sought-after storyboard artist and director who has worked on a host of popular animated children’s shows and films. Getting her start as a storyboard artist on He-Man and the Masters of the Universe in 2002, she then took her drawing talents to Cartoon Network shows Ben 10, Justice League; Nickelodeon series Avatar: The Last Airbender, among many other DC Entertainment, Marvel Animation, and Warner Bros. Animation properties. As a director, Montgomery has worked on the CW series Legion of Super Heroes and Cartoon Network’s Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, and she directed or co-directed films such as Wonder Woman, Green Lantern: First Flight, Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, Batman: Year One, Superman/Doomsday, and Justice League: Doom. Most recently, Montgomery was a supervising producer on the Nickelodeon series The Legend of Korra, which led to her current role as co-executive producer and showrunner of DreamWorks Animation’s VOLTRON: LEGENDARY DEFENDER, which premieres on Netflix in 2016.
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VOLTRON returns in 2016 with an all-new Netflix Original Series from DreamWorks Animation Television. Join Executive Producer Joaquim Dos Santos (The Legend of Korra, Avatar: The Last Airbender), Co-Executive Producer Lauren Montgomery (The Legend of Korra), writer Tim Hedrick (The Legend of Korra, Avatar: The Last Airbender) and special guests at WonderCon 2016 to learn all about Voltron: Legendary Defender.
WonderCon Panel: DreamWorks Animation's Voltron: Legendary Defender
From days of long ago, from uncharted regions of the universe comes the Netflix Original Series from DreamWorks Animation – Voltron: Legendary Defender. Hosted by Nerdist's Jessica Chobot, join Executive Producer Joaquim Dos Santos (The Legend of Korra, Avatar: The Last Airbender), Co-Executive Producer Lauren Montgomery (The Legend of Korra), writer Tim Hedrick (The Legend of Korra, Avatar: The Last Airbender) and special guests as they unite to form this years can’t-miss panel of WonderCon 2016! Be the first in the galaxy to get a sneak peek of this highly-anticipated event, as DreamWorks Animation unveils never-before-seen artwork and footage of the all-new series. Panel attendees will receive a WonderCon exclusive limited edition Voltron lithograph. Friday, March 25th, 2016, ROOM 151, 6:00 – 7:00pm
VOLTRON Showrunners:
JOAQUIM DOS SANTOS
Executive Producer, VOLTRON: LEGENDARY DEFENDER
Annie Award-winning director-producer Joaquim Dos Santos began his career as a storyboard artist at Sony animation before moving to Warner Bros. Animation in 2001. While there he sharpened his storyboarding skills on Justice League and Teen Titans before being promoted to director on Justice League: Unlimited. This led to work as a storyboard artist and director on Nickelodeon’s popular children’s shows Avatar: The Last Airbender followed by a move to supervising director/art director on the Adult Swim series G.I. Joe: Resolute for Hasbro. In 2010 Joaquim returned to Warner Bros where he produced and directed a series of animated shorts based on popular DC comic book characters The Specter, Jonah Hex, Green Arrow and Shazam. Not long after he was once again reunited with his ATLA crew, this time in the role of co-executive producer on the critically acclaimed series The Legend of Korra, for which he earned an Emmy nomination. Dos Santos has been fortunate enough to work alongside some of the most well respected creative talents in the industry and his 16 plus years of experience have prepared him for his role as executive producer and showrunner of DreamWorks Animation’s VOLTRON: LEGENDARY DEFENDER, which premieres on Netflix in 2016.
LAUREN MONTGOMERY
Co-Executive Producer, VOLTRON: LEGENDARY DEFENDER
Lauren Montgomery is a highly sought-after storyboard artist and director who has worked on a host of popular animated children’s shows and films. Getting her start as a storyboard artist on He-Man and the Masters of the Universe in 2002, she then took her drawing talents to Cartoon Network shows Ben 10, Justice League; Nickelodeon series Avatar: The Last Airbender, among many other DC Entertainment, Marvel Animation, and Warner Bros. Animation properties. As a director, Montgomery has worked on the CW series Legion of Super Heroes and Cartoon Network’s Scooby-Doo! Mystery Incorporated, and she directed or co-directed films such as Wonder Woman, Green Lantern: First Flight, Justice League: Crisis on Two Earths, Batman: Year One, Superman/Doomsday, and Justice League: Doom. Most recently, Montgomery was a supervising producer on the Nickelodeon series The Legend of Korra, which led to her current role as co-executive producer and showrunner of DreamWorks Animation’s VOLTRON: LEGENDARY DEFENDER, which premieres on Netflix in 2016.
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Image Comics Announces Its 2016 WonderCon Schedule
IMAGE COMICS AT WONDERCON
Creator-owned panels, con exclusive variants, and signings you won’t want to miss
Image Comics is pleased to return to WonderCon this year on Friday, March 25 through Sunday, March 27, 2016.
VARIANTS SOLD AT THE IMAGE BOOTH (#1802):
PANELS HOSTED BY IMAGE COMICS:
Image Comics: Where Creators Own Creativity, Friday, 3/25/16, 4:30p.m. - 5:30p.m., Room: 403AB
The sky's the limit with comics, as Joe Harris (SNOWFALL), Keenan Marshall Keller (THE HUMANS), Brian Schirmer (BLACK JACK KETCHUM), Jimmie Robinson (POWER LINES), and Brian Haberlin (FASTER THAN LIGHT) know very well. New creativity has been crucial to the success of comics and drives the most compelling stories out there. In this panel, we'll discuss the importance of creativity and resonant ideas when creating comics. There's no story that comics can't handle, so don't be afraid to go deep or weird or both.
Top Cow Productions: From Then to Now, Saturday, 3/26/16, 11:30a.m. - 12:30p.m., Room: 515B
Founded by Marc Silvestri in 1992, Top Cow Productions soon made its name as the publisher of hit comics like Witchblade, The Darkness, and Cyberforce. The series stood the test of time, spawning a whole multimedia empire. Sit down with Marc Silvestri, Matt Hawkins (COO of Top Cow Productions), and Bryan Hill (Story Editor) for an exclusive look at where Top Cow has been and where it's going next.
Image Comics: Where Creators Own Craft, Saturday, 3/26/16, 2:30p.m. - 3:30p.m., Room: 403AB
Ed Brubaker (THE FADE OUT), Kurtis Wiebe (RAT QUEENS), Tom Neely (THE HUMANS), Greg Hinkle (AIRBOY), and Malachi Ward (ISLAND) all bring one important thing to their work: a very, very high level of craft. Craft is what makes comics go—it makes for beautiful art, clever writing, and amazing storytelling. Craft is a product of talent, hard work, and experience—if you want to know what it takes, come listen to the best.
SIGNINGS HOSTED AT IMAGE COMICS BOOTH (#1802):
FRIDAY, MARCH 25TH
12:00 - 12:45 PM Greg Hinkle
1:00 - 1:45 PM Ed Brubaker, ticketed
2:00 - 2:45 PM Jimmie Robinson
3:00 - 3:45 PM Brian Haberlin
4:00 - 4:45 PM Kyle Baker & Kevin McCarthy
5:00 - 5:45 PM Dustin Nguyen
6:00 - 6:45 PM Joe Harris
SATURDAY, MARCH 26TH
10:00 - 10:45 AM Kyle Higgins & Alec Siegel
11:00 - 11:45 AM Joe Harris
12:00 - 12:45 PM Malachi Ward
1:00 - 1:45 PM Kurtis Wiebe, ticketed
2:00 - 2:45 PM Kyle Baker & Kevin McCarthy
3:00 - 3:45 PM Sina Grace
4:00 - 4:45 PM Ed Brubaker, ticketed
5:00 - 5:45 PM Brian Schirmer
6:00 - 6:45 PM Tom Neely and Keenan Marshall Keller
SUNDAY, MARCH 27TH
11:00 - 11:45 AM Kurtis Wiebe, ticketed
12:00 - 12:45 PM Brian Schirmer
1:00 - 1:45 PM Tom Neely and Keenan Marshall Keller
2:00 - 2:45 PM Sina Grace, Amber Benson, Daniel Freedman, ticketed
3:00 - 3:45 PM Kyle Baker & Kevin McCarthy
ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.
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Creator-owned panels, con exclusive variants, and signings you won’t want to miss
Image Comics is pleased to return to WonderCon this year on Friday, March 25 through Sunday, March 27, 2016.
VARIANTS SOLD AT THE IMAGE BOOTH (#1802):
- Circuit Breaker #1 WonderCon Variant by Kevin McCarthy and Kyle Baker, cover by Kyle Baker ($10)
- Tokyo Ghost HC Convention Variant by Rick Remender and Sean Gordon Murphy, cover by Sean Gordon Murphy ($35)
PANELS HOSTED BY IMAGE COMICS:
Image Comics: Where Creators Own Creativity, Friday, 3/25/16, 4:30p.m. - 5:30p.m., Room: 403AB
The sky's the limit with comics, as Joe Harris (SNOWFALL), Keenan Marshall Keller (THE HUMANS), Brian Schirmer (BLACK JACK KETCHUM), Jimmie Robinson (POWER LINES), and Brian Haberlin (FASTER THAN LIGHT) know very well. New creativity has been crucial to the success of comics and drives the most compelling stories out there. In this panel, we'll discuss the importance of creativity and resonant ideas when creating comics. There's no story that comics can't handle, so don't be afraid to go deep or weird or both.
Top Cow Productions: From Then to Now, Saturday, 3/26/16, 11:30a.m. - 12:30p.m., Room: 515B
Founded by Marc Silvestri in 1992, Top Cow Productions soon made its name as the publisher of hit comics like Witchblade, The Darkness, and Cyberforce. The series stood the test of time, spawning a whole multimedia empire. Sit down with Marc Silvestri, Matt Hawkins (COO of Top Cow Productions), and Bryan Hill (Story Editor) for an exclusive look at where Top Cow has been and where it's going next.
Image Comics: Where Creators Own Craft, Saturday, 3/26/16, 2:30p.m. - 3:30p.m., Room: 403AB
Ed Brubaker (THE FADE OUT), Kurtis Wiebe (RAT QUEENS), Tom Neely (THE HUMANS), Greg Hinkle (AIRBOY), and Malachi Ward (ISLAND) all bring one important thing to their work: a very, very high level of craft. Craft is what makes comics go—it makes for beautiful art, clever writing, and amazing storytelling. Craft is a product of talent, hard work, and experience—if you want to know what it takes, come listen to the best.
SIGNINGS HOSTED AT IMAGE COMICS BOOTH (#1802):
FRIDAY, MARCH 25TH
12:00 - 12:45 PM Greg Hinkle
1:00 - 1:45 PM Ed Brubaker, ticketed
2:00 - 2:45 PM Jimmie Robinson
3:00 - 3:45 PM Brian Haberlin
4:00 - 4:45 PM Kyle Baker & Kevin McCarthy
5:00 - 5:45 PM Dustin Nguyen
6:00 - 6:45 PM Joe Harris
SATURDAY, MARCH 26TH
10:00 - 10:45 AM Kyle Higgins & Alec Siegel
11:00 - 11:45 AM Joe Harris
12:00 - 12:45 PM Malachi Ward
1:00 - 1:45 PM Kurtis Wiebe, ticketed
2:00 - 2:45 PM Kyle Baker & Kevin McCarthy
3:00 - 3:45 PM Sina Grace
4:00 - 4:45 PM Ed Brubaker, ticketed
5:00 - 5:45 PM Brian Schirmer
6:00 - 6:45 PM Tom Neely and Keenan Marshall Keller
SUNDAY, MARCH 27TH
11:00 - 11:45 AM Kurtis Wiebe, ticketed
12:00 - 12:45 PM Brian Schirmer
1:00 - 1:45 PM Tom Neely and Keenan Marshall Keller
2:00 - 2:45 PM Sina Grace, Amber Benson, Daniel Freedman, ticketed
3:00 - 3:45 PM Kyle Baker & Kevin McCarthy
ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.
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Wednesday, March 9, 2016
Review: "Jurassic World" is a Vending Machine Treat
Jurassic World (2015)
Running time: 124 minutes (2 hours, 4 minutes)
MPAA – PG-13 for intense sequences of science-fiction violence and peril
DIRECTOR: Colin Trevorrow
WRITERS: Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver and Colin Trevorrow and Derek Connolly; from a story by Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver (based on characters created by Michael Crichton)
PRODUCERS: Patrick Crowley and Frank Marshall
CINEMATOGRAPHER: John Schwartzman (D.o.P.)
EDITOR: Kevin Stitt
COMPOSER: Michael Giacchino
SCI-FI/ACTION/ADVENTURE/THRILLER
Starring: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Irrfan Khan, Vincent D'Onofrio, Ty Simpkins, Nick Robinson, Jake Johnson, Omar Sy, B.D. Wong, Judy Greer, Andy Buckley, Lauren Lapkus, Katie McGrath, Eric Edelstein, and Jimmy Fallon
Jurassic World is a 2015 science fiction-thriller and action-adventure film from director Colin Trevorrow. The film is a restart of the Jurassic Park film franchise. Thomas Tull of Legendary Pictures and Steven Spielberg, who directed the original film, Jurassic Park (1993), are the executive producers of this movie. Jurassic World returns to the setting of the first film, which is now a popular dinosaur theme park, but a new attraction turns the place into a nightmare.
Over two decades after the disaster that was the late John Hammond's Jurassic Park, the island of Isla Nublar now has a fully functioning dinosaur theme park, named Jurassic World. That is where Gray Mitchell (Ty Simpkins) and his older brother, Zach (Nick Robinson), are headed, with VIP access thanks to their aunt, Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard), who is Jurassic World's operations manager.
This new park is run by the Masrani Global Corporation, which also owns InGen, Hammond's genetics company that invented the process of using DNA found in dinosaur fossils to make new dinosaurs. However, after a decade in operation, Jurassic World has been experiencing a decline in visitor rates, because dinosaurs are no longer the “hot thing.”
Park owner Simon Masrani (Irrfan Khan) demanded that a new attraction be created to spark visitors' interest. Behold Indominus rex, a hybrid dinosaur made by combining the DNA of an unknown number of animals. U.S. Navy veteran, Owen Grady (Chris Pratt), trains Jurassic World's four Velociraptors, which have imprinted on him as the pack alpha. Masrani wants Owen to evaluate Indominus rex before this new attraction is presented to the public. Owen discovers that this hybrid dinosaur is really dangerous. Then, everything goes bad...
Jurassic World is quite an entertaining movie. I watched it on DVD, and there were times that I could not stop watching it, even when the phone rang. Like the Indominus rex, Jurassic World is itself a hybrid, as it blends the disaster film with the monster movie (much in the way a Godzilla film does). This is pure escapist entertainment. Pop some popcorn; sit on the sofa and turn out the lights. Watch this movie and have a blast...
...because beyond that, you won't have much. Jurassic World may be a restart of the franchise, but it lacks the newness and freshness, the sense of wonder and awe, that defined the original, 1993's Oscar-winning Jurassic Park. So rather than being a restart, Jurassic World is in actuality nothing more than another Jurassic Park film.
The characters are not interesting, and their plight did not grab me, as the characters' troubles in the first film did. When the most interesting female character in this film is a CGI dinosaur, as is the case with the raptor, Blue, then, the movie has fundamental problems. Even the relationship troubles between the two brothers and its resolution feel forced and phony. I can't remember the last time juvenile sibling characters had the kind of stiff dialogue that the Mitchell brothers had.
I like Chris Pratt, and he uses all his charm to make something out of Owen Grady, a character with potential, which the writers and director of this film did not seem to realize. Bryce Dallas Howard uses her acting skills to make something of the mannequin that is Claire, but that character is beneath her. And poor Omar Sy comes across as a pitiful token, playing Owen's stuck-in-the-corner assistant, Barry; yeah, Barry wasn't even worth a last name.
Yeah, Jurassic World is a blast as a scary monster movie, a dumb sci-fi thriller that actually delivers on the thrills. But in the end, it is nothing more than film product – the equivalent of a fast food hamburger that you have already forgotten a few minutes after eating it.
6 of 10
B
Saturday, November 28, 2015
The text is copyright © 2015 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
Image Comics Announces New Sina Grace Web Series
Inspired by acclaimed graphic novel, the five episode series stars Grace, Amber Benson, Adam Busch & Jon Gabrus
Cartoonist Sina Grace will debut a web series based on his 2015 Image Comics graphic novel SELF-OBSESSED on Tuesday, March 22, 2016. Directed by friend and longtime collaborator on the hit comic series BURN THE ORPHANAGE, Daniel Freedman (Undying Love), SELF-OBSESSED is a comedic look at the life of a gay LA-based cartoonist who struggles to find his creative mojo amidst a break-up, a book cancellation, and an overall crisis of faith in his own work. Grace stars in the series alongside Amber Benson (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Adam Busch (Colony, Empire) and Jon Gabrus (MTV’s Guy Code, TVLand’s Younger).
When Sina breaks up with his latest boyfriend, he’s heart-broken. When the book he’s working on is cancelled, he’s devastated. SELF-OBSESSED follows Sina on a hilarious journey as he tries to rediscover his passions for drawing and life. From striking out at a gay bear sex party to getting sage advice from his best friend Amber to visiting an old flame Jon in San Francisco, Sina tries to keep it together. Will he remember why he started drawing in the first place or will he obsess over where he went wrong?
“Making the book Self-Obsessed taught me to follow every idea down every meta rabbit hole,” said Grace. “It seemed like the only logical next step to bare it all on screen, surrounded by my best friends.”
SELF-OBSESSED features a killer soundtrack thanks to musicians in and out of Los Angeles, such as Feels, Colleen Green, Nick Diamonds, Post Life, Hot as Sun, Exray’s, Caleb Nichols, Purr Snickety, Cold Showers, and more.
Click here to view the SELF-OBSESSED trailer.
About SINA GRACE
Sina Grace is the author and illustrator of the autobiographical Self-Obsessed and Not My Bag, which recounts a story of retail hell. He acts as the artist for Shaun Steven Struble's cult hit, The Li'l Depressed Boy, and handles art chores along with co-writing the Image Comics hit series, Burn the Orphanage. Grace has also done illustrations for all-ages readers, including Among the Ghosts, written by Amber Benson, and Penny Dora & the Wishing Box, written by Michael Stock. His previous works include the slice-of-life Books with Pictures, and the neo-noir urban fantasy Cedric Hollows in Dial M for Magic. For a time, he acted as Editorial Director for Robert Kirkman's Skybound imprint at Image Comics. To date, he's worked for Marvel Comics, IDW, Boom, Dynamite, Valiant and more. His essays have appeared on several websites, most notably Thought Catalog.
For more information, please visit sinagrace.com.
@SinaGrace on all social media
#SOselfobsessed
ABOUT IMAGE COMICS
Image Comics is a comic book and graphic novel publisher founded in 1992 by a collective of best-selling artists. Image has since gone on to become one of the largest comics publishers in the United States. Image currently has five partners: Robert Kirkman, Erik Larsen, Todd McFarlane, Marc Silvestri and Jim Valentino. It consists of five major houses: Todd McFarlane Productions, Top Cow Productions, Shadowline, Skybound and Image Central. Image publishes comics and graphic novels in nearly every genre, sub-genre, and style imaginable. It offers science fiction, fantasy, romance, horror, crime fiction, historical fiction, humor and more by the finest artists and writers working in the medium today. For more information, visit www.imagecomics.com.
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