Pre Order – Limited Edition Fine Art Prints of KISS Album Covers ‘Rock And Roll Over’ (RARO) and ‘Sonic Boom,’ Signed by the band and artist Michael Doret
Michael Doret and KISS are now accepting Pre-Orders for the much anticipated Limited Edition Fine Art Prints of cover art for “Rock and Roll Over” and “Sonic Boom.” These fine art editions of giclées are limited to only 250 prints per edition. They are the most faithful incarnations you will ever see of this art—and you will never again see the color reproduced with more clarity and intensity.
The printed images are oversized at 20″ square and printed on 25″ square archival “Museo Textured Rag” Digital Watercolor paper. Each Limited Edition print is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity signed by artist Michael Doret. The prints are available for purchase exclusively through KissOnline.com.
Dec 8: Not Your Typical Political Animal: An Evening with Robbie Conal
Not Your Typical Political Animal: An Evening with Robbie Conal
Pop-Up Exhibition, Book Signing and Holiday Shop Event:
Santa Monica, CA -- To celebrate the launch of their new book Not Your Typical Political Animal, artists Robbie Conal and Deborah Ross present a pop-up exhibition and book signing event at the Santa Monica Museum of Art on Tuesday, December 8, 2009 from 6pm-8pm.
Robbie Conal has never been your typical political animal. Raised by Siamese cats and communists on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, Robbie’s outrage at the misdeeds of political beasts engendered a nationwide guerrilla street–postering movement that not only provided a platform for his own discontent, but a brilliantly satirical outlet for like–minded citizens who've relished the presence of his sardonic posters on the streets of their cities for more than 20 years. This time Robbie turns the satire upon himself, revealing his sometimes twisted, always devoted, life-long infatuation and spirit-bonding with his furry, scaly, and feathery friends in the animal kingdom.
Who knew that throughout the decades of raging against the machine, Robbie Conal covertly detoxified from painting nasty portraits of "ugly old white men in suits and ties” by drawing his own and his friends’ cats, dogs and other soothing beasties with whom he shared a deep bond rooted in his early relationship with his Siamese cat god-parents?
Over the years Robbie’s wife, graphic designer Deborah Ross noticed his studio files were overflowing with all sorts of wildlife drawings, and decided to bring them, along with Robbie's warmer, fuzzier side to light in this beautifully designed, full-color book.
In Not Your Typical Political Animal Robbie reveals his acerbically skewed take on the remarkable creatures who share this world with us, as well as the human companions who cherish them. Enjoy!
The evening will include a book signing by Conal, and original limited-edition animal prints will be available for sale, as well as luxurious cashmere sweaters, vintage t-shirts and plaid shirts, all featuring Conal’s cat and dog portraits. Other animal-related gifts will also be available at the holiday gift store hosted by SMMoA’s retail shop, GRACIE. Appropriately-themed refreshments and and music by DJ BBRAVE will round out the event.
What:
SMMoA Presents Robbie Conal and Deborah Ross
"Not Your Typical Political Animal" Book Launch Event
When:
Tuesday, December 8, 2009 6p-8p
Where:
Santa Monica Museum of Art, Bergamot Station
2525 Michigan Ave., G-1, Santa Monica, CA 90404
"Not Your Typical Political Animal" is $24.95 + applicable tax & shipping; Available now at SMMoA.org and beginning December 9, 2009 at RobbieConal.com
The pop-up exhibition and holiday gift store at GRACIE remains open for last-minute shopping through December 24, 2009 and includes gifts ranging from a magic growing Christmas tree to Obama tree ornaments to Peace Sign menorahs!
The Blakes Release Vid for "Ramshackle Hearse" and Announce iPhone App
The Blakes unveil video for "Ramshackle Hearse"
Directed by Chase Jarvis & Will Hyde. Produced by Chase Jarvis Inc. Effects and Color by Superfad.
AND...
Fan of The Blakes? Theres an App For That! MobBase iPhone App Puts The Blakes In Your Pocket
The Blakes iPhone app is interlinked with the bands tour data, social media and iTunes. The Blakes, who are currently on tour in support of their new album Souvenir, can easily manage the app from the road so fans have the most up-to-date news and exclusives. Fans can upload their own pics to a shared photo album and tweet their own news using tags: @theblakesband and #blakessouv.
The MobBase iPhone app puts The Blakes in fans pockets, with high value content that fuels the artist-fan connection, said Charles Feinn, CEO and co-founder of MixMatchMusic, MobBases developer. Were thrilled to debut the MobBase mobile app with independent self-distributed artists like The Blakes. Weve made our apps affordable so all artists can easily build, customize and update their digital content to further engage their fans with the same mobile presence as major label acts.
About The Blakes
After touring the world with everyone from The Gossip to the Kills to Brian Jonestown Massacre, reaching #1 on KEXP, garnering Top 10 album of 07 on iTunes and performing at US festivals from Lollapalooza to Bumpershoot to Sasquatch, The Blakes return with an international tour and release full length Souvenir through We Are Ok Records. For More information on The Blakes please visit: TheBlakesBand.com ,@theblakesband , Facebook and MySpace .
Souvenir is out now!
About MobBase / MixMatchMusic
MobBase (www.mobbase.com) gives artists a mobile, interactive fan club, storefront, merchandise table, and more. The MobBase iPhone application is highly customizable, so artists can pick and choose the content they offer to fans and also the way that content is presented.
Writer/Director Benjamin Pollack’s DARK ROOM THEATER Wins Best Comedy Feature at FirstGlance Film Festival in Philadelphia
Writer/Director Benjamin Pollack’s DARK ROOM THEATER Wins
Best Comedy Feature at FirstGlance Film Festival in Philadelphia
DARK ROOM THEATER to Screen at LA Comedy Festival November 9, 2009
At ACME Comedy Theater in Los Angeles
Hollywood, CA—November 2, 2009 – Benvention Films, Inc is pleased to announce writer/director Benjamin Pollack’s award winning Comedy/Horror anthology series, DARK ROOM THEATER, took home the Best Comedy Feature at the Philadelphia FirstGlance Film Festival over the weekend. On the heels of that award, DARK ROOM THEATER was accepted into the Los Angeles Comedy Festival and will screen at the world famous ACME Theater in Hollywood on November 9, 2009 at 9:30pm.
Benjamin Pollack, who was recently featured on KNBC News with Cary Berglund, won Best Director for DARK ROOM THEATER at the Los Angeles Independent Television Festival (ITVFest) and recently screened at NewFilmmakers in Los Angeles, Shriekfest International Film Festival in Los Angeles, Shockerfest, where it was nominated for Best Horror Feature, and Rome International Film Festival in Rome, GA where it was nominated for Best Narrative Feature. The Comedy Central Stage at the Hudson Theater in Hollywood hosted a special Halloween screening of DARK ROOM THEATER: Love You To Death, last week to a delighted crowd.
Benvention Films, Inc is also pleased to announce that DEAD AFTER TOMORROW, a horror/thriller feature script written by writer/director Benjamin Pollack, won the Best Horror Feature Screenplay Award at Shriekfest 2009, the Los Angeles International Film Festival & Screenplay Competition. Shriekfest took place on Oct 1-4 at Raleigh Studios in Hollywood and screened 40 films, including Benjamin Pollack’s award winning anthology series DARK ROOM THEATER. There were 39 screenplay finalists and over 400 screenplay submissions. In addition, Benjamin Pollack’s feature comedy screenplay, BLUE SUIT ASSASSINS, was a semi-finalist in the 2009 Slamdance Film and Screenplay Festival.
DARK ROOM THEATER will screen at several festivals throughout the fall including, Asheville Film Festival in Asheville, NC, on “Friday the 13th” of November at 10pm., and The Los Angeles Comedy Festival on November 9, 2009 at 9:30pm, at the ACME Comedy Theater in Los Angeles, CA. Tickets are $9.99 online or $12 at the door.
The trailer for DARK ROOM THEATER can be found on the iTunes Movie Trailers section of apple.com. http://www.apple.com/trailers/independent/darkroomtheater
About Benjamin Pollack and Benvention Films
Writer/Director Benjamin Pollack is an alumnus of American Film Institute (AFI), whose credits include editor of feature film PLAYED (Executive Produced by John Daly—TERMINATOR, LAST EMPEROR, PLATOON) and Associate Producer / Editor for the feature film, THE GARAGE which won over 50 festival awards and nominations. Benvention Films, Inc. is a privately held production company with the ability to finance, produce and execute digital entertainment products. The company is located in Studio City, CA. In addition to DARK ROOM THEATER, Benvention Films, Inc. has added three new projects to its slate for 2010. DEAD AFTER TOMORROW, a horror/thriller, BLUE SUIT ASSASSINS, a buddy comedy, and FLEOSOURUS, a comedy/scifi romp. For more information, please visit http://benventionfilms.com
PutItOn Picture Show Annual Online Film Festival Presented by PutItOn.com and the New York Film Academy Accepting Short and Feature Submissions Until December 31, 2009
PutItOn.com Offers Artists in Film, Fashion, Music and Art a Global Stage to Showcase Their Talents, Discover Other Artists and Engage in eCommerce
PutItOn.com, the first online portal enabling artists from four artistic disciplines to display their talents and gain worldwide exposure, is proud to announce its first annual film festival, PutItOn Picture Show Presented By PutItOn.com and the New York Film Academy. The PiO Picture Show is open now and accepting entries until December 31, 2009. The festival marries PutItOn.com’s unique web-based platform with the spirit of creativity fostered in a film competition. Filmmakers and artists worldwide are encouraged to compete.
“We are excited to launch The PutItOn Picture Show in partnership with the New York Film Academy,” said Max Fraser, British co-founder of PutItOn.com. “This festival is an important part of our vision for creating a grassroots path for emerging artists around the world to take their work from the ‘garage’ to the global marketplace. PutItOn.com’s web platform was designed by artists for artists and it is intended to help foster the next generation of creative leaders.”
PutItOn.com is accessible in 10 languages and offers users 1 free gb of virtual storage space, no transaction charges when purchasing or selling work, online chat and the ability to live stream audio and video. A cutting-edge mobile application will be available across five platforms in the later this fall.
About The PutItOn Picture Show
The PutItOn Picture Show is co-sponsored by the New York Film Academy and is open to artists around the globe.
All entries are welcome, except for those that are exclusively pornographic in content or unethical, such as films based on acts of hate. Each entrant is allowed to submit one film into the contest. Prizes will be awarded for Best Feature, Best Short and Best Achievement in Acting.
The first round of the competition for best feature film and best short film will be decided by a global Internet vote, which will narrow the entries to a list of the top 10 finalists per category. At the second and final stage of the competition, the finalists for these two categories will be judged by a panel made up of one member of The New York Film Academy, PiO's Max Fraser, and an industry professional yet to be named. The award for best achievement in acting will be decided separately by the panel of judges, with all submissions automatically entered for consideration.
The competition is open for new entries until December 31st. Public voting will continue until January 28, 2010 and winners will be announced on February 18, 2010.
Winners in each category will receive a two-tiered prize: a free scholarship to the New York Film Academy and a cash prize of $5,000 USD. If a winner has already attended the New York Film Academy, or another film school, they can opt-out of the scholarship and choose to only receive the cash prize and an alternative award. The second place winners in the best feature film and short film categories will each receive an HD 'Pro-sumer' digital video camera.
In addition to the film festival, PutItOn currently has plans to launch a U.S.-based online song competition this fall. The company will release additional details shortly.
For more information about PutItOn or the film festival, visit: www.PutItOn.com.
About PutItOn.com
PutItOn.com – “The Home to the World’s Undiscovered Artists” – offers a revolutionary, grassroots approach to helping unknown artists take their work from the “garage” to the global marketplace where fans can connect with them directly. Leveraging an online platform for showcasing and marketing art, music, fashion and film, PutItOn.com helps undiscovered artists from around the world become both artistically and financially successful. Through PutItOn.com artists have the freedom to break out into the marketplace at NO COST with complete intellectual and creative control. For more information about PutItOn or the film festival, visit: http://www.PutItOn.com
HAX Foundation's 1st Annual John Wooden Pyramid of Success Awards Presented By McDonald's
The basketball courts at The HAX training facility in Hawthorne, CA, which normally see the likes of today’s top NBA, WNBA and AVP players were transformed into an elegant backdrop for the gala reception at HAX Foundation’s 1st Annual John Wooden Pyramid of Success Awards Presented by McDonald’s and co-hosted by CBS/KLAC sports personality Steve Hartman and comedian Chris Spencer. The event, which took place last Saturday, was designed to raise money and awareness about the HAX Foundation, which awards scholarships to eligible students in need so they may enjoy the benefits of athletic and educational programs they otherwise may not be able to attend due to financial constraints or lack of school programming.
The awards honored legendary UCLA coach and mentor John Wooden with the Lifetime Achievement Award, which was accepted on his behalf, amidst rousing cheers and a standing ovation, by his son Jim Wooden. The Wooden family including Coach Wooden’s children and grandchildren were also in attendance.
Boston Celtics Forward /Inglewood native Paul Pierce and World Champion Boxer, DWTS Finalist, Health & Body correspondent and mom Laila Ali received the first ever Competitive Greatness Awards while ESPN’s Dick Vitale was honored with the Industriousness Award. Paul Pierce thanked those who inspired him including John Wooden, his mother and brothers as well as his community saying, ”When it is all said and done for me I hope I am remembered most for the work I did off the court.”
McDonald’s CEO Jim Skinner received the Skill Award saying “It’s particularly gratifying to receive the Skill Award… it’s the ability to keep learning and improving after you think you’ve learned it all. It’s a philosophy that I’ve worked to instill throughout McDonald’s—and in my own life.” Say No Classic Founder, the late Rod Smith also received an award, the Loyalty Award, which was accepted on his behalf by his son and his wife, who stifled tears to simply say “just when the caterpillar thinks he’s come to his end, he turns into a butterfly.”
The event, produced by Gotham City Films, kicked off with red carpet arrivals featuring an array of athletes across numerous sports, entertainment personalities and community leaders. Attendees began the evening with an opening reception where they bid on silent auction items, sipped refreshing cocktails and enjoyed hors d’ oeuvres while VIPS socialized in the Coca-cola sponsored lounges. Chris Spencer turned up the heat on event goers during the live auction Other highlights include a soulful performance by Andre Delano and a touching speech by HAX Foundation scholarship recipient Jayson Barry who, on speaking of his success as a result of attending HAX said, “when you have a team behind you it makes you want to work harder not only for yourself but for them.”
Writer / Producer Megan J. Wilson posts new ep of drama web series "The Sanctum" #sanctumsodes
Episode 3 is Live!!
Writer / Producer Megan J. Wilson posts new ep of drama web series "The Sanctum" #sanctumsodes
HAX FOUNDATION’S 1st ANNUAL JOHN WOODEN PYRAMID OF SUCCESS AWARDS PRESENTED BY McDONALD’S TAKES PLACE SEPTEMBER 12 AT HANGAR ATHLETIC XCHANGE
HAX FOUNDATION’S 1st ANNUAL JOHN WOODEN PYRAMID OF SUCCESS AWARDS PRESENTED BY McDONALD’S TAKES PLACE SEPTEMBER 12 AT HANGAR ATHLETIC XCHANGE
Honoring Paul Pierce, Laila Ali, Dick Vitale, Jim Skinner and Rod Smith
Legendary Coach, Philosopher and Life Motivator John Wooden To Be Honored with Lifetime Achievement Award
Los Angeles, CA —HAX Foundation, a 501c3 nonprofit organization, which provides scholarships to HAX sports and education academies for eligible students in need,is proud to announce the 1st Annual John Wooden Pyramid of Success Awards presented by McDonald’s and co-hosted by CBS / KLAC host and sports personality Steve Hartman and comedian Chris Spencer at the Hangar Athletic Xchange (HAX) on September 12, 2009 at 7pm preceded by a VIP Meet and Greet from 5pm-7pm.
The John Wooden Pyramid of Success Awards will honor Professional Athletes, Corporate Executives, Community Leaders and others who continue to make a significant difference in their community and beyond. HAX Foundation will also recognize legendary coach John Wooden, with the Pyramid of Success Lifetime Achievement Award. This year’s honorees also include Los Angeles native and Boston Celtics Forward Paul Pierce, Champion Boxer, DWTS Finalist and Health & Body correspondent Laila Ali, ESPN’s Dick Vitale, CEO of McDonald’s Jim Skinner and “Say No Classic” Founder Rod Smith.
The John Wooden Pyramid of Success Awards gala will feature Red Carpet arrivals, VIP Meet and Greet Reception, Silent Auction featuring sports memorabilia, entertainment packages, luxury products and services; Live Auction hosted by comedian Chris Spencer; dinner and the John Wooden Pyramid of Success Awards presentation. All proceeds from this event benefit the HAX Foundation.
To Purchase Tickets for the 1st Annual John Wooden Pyramid of Success Awards, and learn more about HAX and the HAX Foundation, please visit http://HAXFoundation.org / http://haxla.com
WHAT:
HAX Foundation’s 1st Annual John Wooden Pyramid of Success Awards Presented by McDonald’s
WHEN:
Saturday, September 12, 2009 6pm (VIP Meet and Greet Reception from 5-7pm; Dinner at 7pm)
WHERE:
HAX (Hangar Athletic Xchange) 3203 Jack Northrop Avenue (formerly Broadway Avenue), Hawthorne, CA 90250
COST:
$250 Individual Ticket; $400 VIP Ticket (VIP Ticket includes access to VIP Reception)
Tables can also be purchased at a variety of price structures .
To Purchase Tickets, please visit http://HAXFoundation.org
Listen To Artist Michael Doret on WXRX Discuss KISS's SONIC BOOM
LISTEN HERE To Hear Artist Michael Doret chat with Stone & Double T on WXRX about his work on KISS's new album SONIC BOOM
The Blakes Announce Fall Tour Dates / FLIP'n Awesome Videos
Seattle (via Maine) Rock band The Blakes announce the first round of their fall tour dates in support of forthcoming album SOUVENIR.
Launch The Blakes YouTube channel to showcase tales from the road (via Flip videos).
TOUR DATES (so far)
9/25 –The BLVD Spokane, WA
9/26 –Yakima Sports Center Yakima, WA
9/29 -Neumos Seattle, WA
10/1 –Rotture Portland, OR
10/2 –Humboldt Brews Arcata, CA
10/3 –Marilyn’s on K Sacramento, CA
10/4 –Bottom of the Hill San Francisco, CA
10/6 –Viper Room Los Angeles, CA
10/7 –Saint Rocke Hermosa Beach, CA
10/8 –Three Clubs Los Angeles, CA
10/9 –Beauty Bar Las Vegas, NV
10/10 –Casbah San Diego, CA
10/12 –Bash Riprock’s Lubbock, TX
10/13 -MoHawk Austin, TX
10/14 –Hailey’s Denton, TX
10/15 –Sticky Fingerz Little Rock, AR
10/16 –Firebird St. Louis, MO
10/17 –Rock Island Brewing Co Rock Island, IL
10/20-Pike Room Pontiac, MI
10/22 – CMJ New York, NY
10/23 – CMJ New York, NY
10/24 – CMJ New York, NY
Join The Blakes Mailing List
Artist Michael Doret Posts 3-Part Blog Series On The Making of KISS SONIC BOOM Cover Art
Michael Doret Created Album Art for
KISS's Platinum Selling Rock And RollOver
And Newly Released CD/DVD Package SONIC BOOM
Los Angeles, CA --August 18, 2009—Michael Doret, award-winning illustrator, designer and lettering artist, has taken to his AlphabetSoup blog to discuss the making of the cover art for CD/DVD package SONIC BOOM, the first new material in 11 years from revered rock band KISS. Michael was the artist behind iconic cover and platinum selling album Rock And Roll Over and was thrilled to take up the chance to help bring SONIC BOOM to life.
It happened in April 2009, out of the blue, KISS's Paul Stanley, from somewhere in South America, phones Michael about a new project. From there, the process for creating what is now known as SONIC BOOM began. Michael is detailing the adventure, from the beginning, by reflecting on his initial experience with Rock And Roll Over through to the debut of SONIC BOOM. He is including imagery of both projects as well as the initial sketch he created for his vision of SONIC BOOM to present to KISS. Says Michael, "While Paul Stanley didn’t want me to reprise what I had done with my art for the Rock And Roll Over cover, he did want me to try to capture some of the same spirit, attitude, energy, and look that I had instilled in that piece. I am very happy with the result and look forward to the KISS fans' response." KISS earlier today announced the release SONIC BOOM exclusively through Walmart and Sam's Club retail locations onOctober 6, 2009.
About Michael Doret
Michael Doret is an award-wining illustrator, designer and lettering artist based in Los Angeles, CA. He has created memorable logos, album covers, magazine covers and art for major brands in Sports, Music and Advertising, including the likes of the New York Knicks, MLB, TIME, Playboy, TV Guide, KISS, Capitol Records and Columbia Records. Michael also owns AlphabetSoup Type Founders where he designs and sells fonts which are distributed through Font Bros., MyFonts and Veer. Michael is a graduate of The Cooper Union in New York City. For more information, please visit:http://michaeldoret.com
Links to art:
http://blog.alphabetsoupblog.com/
http://kissonline.com/
Ep 2 of Megan J. Wilson's THE SANCTUM is Live Now!
THE SANCTUM, a web series written and produced by newcomer Megan J. Wilson, and directed by Michael Meyer, about a motley crew of superheroes who attend weekly Narcotics Anonymous meetings. The series will explore each of the 6 characters experiences, showing the truly human struggles of these extraordinary beings.
http://www.sanctumsodes.com/
ABOUT The Sanctum
In the safety of The Sanctum, where they depend on each other for anonymity, superheroes unveil the personal circumstances that have led them to a life of addiction and loneliness. Bonded by the anguish of their individual experiences and the often destructive nature of their supernatural abilities, they begin to learn to heal themselves. All the while, evil lurks in their midst.
ABOUT Megan J. Wilson
Writer/Producer Megan J. Wilson, a native of Seattle, spent a summer as asalmon cannery worker in Alaska to save up the money to move to NYC, where she attended NYU for acting before finding her true passion of writing and producing episodic television.Megan worked her way through the ranks for five years as an independent producer’s assistant and writers' assistant on a couple of primetime episodic television series for CBS.She then left New York to spend a couple of years off the beaten path, gestating her writing endeavors before moving to LA to fulfill them. The Sanctum is Megan’s first produced Web series. She’s currently writing a pilot for a television series set to shoot in Late Spring/Summer of 2010.
Thanks ITVT For More Great Coverage of ClipSync's 'Viewing Parties' App for Facebook
BIG THANKS to ITVT for Covering the addition of CSI and Bold & The Beautiful to the ClipSync "Viewing Parties" App for Facebook. Now You can enjoy 4 major CBS shows (Big Brother 11, CSI, Young and The Restless, and The Bold and The Beautiful) with your Facebook friends anytime directly on Facebook!!
Benvention Films Series DARK ROOM THEATER To Prem at ITV Fest
Benvention Films Comedy/Horror Series DARK ROOM THEATER Premiering at the Independent Television Festival (ITV Fest) in Hollywood California.
“DARK ROOM THEATER is a skillful blend of thrills, chills and laughs, all presented in a family-friendly package that is sure to delight lovers of the macabre who were weaned on Poe, Hitchcock or even the Goosebumps series. Great fun!”
-Alex Simon, The Hollywood Interview.com
West Hollywood, CA--July 30, 2009 --Benvention Films, Inc is pleased to announce the premiere screening ofcomedy/ horror seriesDARK ROOM THEATER, written and directed byBenjamin Pollack. Dark Room Theater will screen at theIndependent Television Festivallocated at the Laemmle’s Sunset 5 in Hollywood on Sunday, August 2nd at 11:00 a.m and Wednesday, August 5th at 5:30 p.m.
DARK ROOM THEATER is a family-friendly anthology series in the vein of THE TWILIGHT ZONE, about ordinary people who find themselves in extraordinary, usually supernatural, situations, using both ironic and comic twists.DARK ROOM THEATER starsKeith Blaney(Comedy Central’s SIT N’ SPIN at Hudson Theater),John Capodice(ACE VENTURA: PET DETECTIVE, INDEPENDENCE DAY),Robert Costanzo(TOTAL RECALL, HONEYMOON IN VEGAS),Rick Cox,Nicole Feenstra,Kaleo Griffith,Rose Rossi,David StanfordandRichard Tyson(THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY, KINDERGARTEN COP). DARK ROOM THEATER's score was written and performed byBilly Goodrum(THERE'S SOMETHING ABOUT MARY, STUCK ON YOU, ME, MYSELF AND IRENE; HEARTBREAK KID). Each episode of DARK ROOM THEATER is hosted by an animated character, Dr. Brainly, a brain that lives in a glass beaker from an experiment gone wrong.
Writer/Director Benjamin Pollack is an alumnus of American Film Institute (AFI), whose credits include editor of feature film PLAYED (Executive Produced by John Daly—TERMINATOR, LAST EMPEROR, PLATOON) and Associate Producer / Editor for the feature film, THE GARAGE which won over 50 festival awards and nominations.Benjaminwrote, produced and directed 10 one-hour radio theater plays in college, which he called, "Dark Room Theater." Benjamin decided to recreate DARK ROOM THEATER for the TV audience to offer a fun series for the whole family to enjoy together. "I wanted to re-explore the comedic horror genre andcreate a TV serieswhere parents could watch and enjoy a show with their kids. DARK ROOM THEATER is a great project with atalented team of actors and filmmakers. I've been thrilled by the response to the double feature so far," says Benjamin Pollack.
About Benvention Films
Benvention Films, Inc. is a privately held production company with the ability to finance, produce and execute digital entertainment products. The company is located in Studio City, CA.In addition to DARK ROOM THEATER, Benvention Films, Inc. has added three new projects to its slate for 2010. DEAD AFTER TOMORROW, a thriller/mystery, BLUE SUIT ASSASSINS, a buddy comedy, and FLEOSOURUS, a comedy/scifi romp. For more information, please visithttp://benventionfilms.com
About ITV Fest
The Independent Television Festival is a festival for independently produced, original and innovative television pilots and Web series. The festival has brought success to many of those attending, including a pilot sold to Starz, a Web series sold to Sony and a script sold to NBC. Now in its 4thyear, ITVFest has attracted more than twice the number of submissions than last year and therefore will include panels and programs that are category specific (i.e.; Web TV Day, International, MobiFest Day). For more information, pleasevisit:www.itvfest.org
Watch Trailer for Dark Room Theater here:http://www.darkroomtheater.com/
Playcast Media Launches Console-Free Games-On-Demand Service For Cable Television
Playcast Becomes World’s First Live Service To Deliver Console-Quality Video Games Through Standard Set-Top Boxes
Los Angeles, CA-- (PR Web) July 20, 2009—Playcast Media, a new company providing complete gaming service solutions for Cable and IPTV operators, announced the launch of a large-scale Games-on-Demand pilot program with Israel’s cable network, Hot. For the first time in pay-tv history viewers will be able to play their favorite video games directly from their existing cable television set-top box without a gaming console. The launch of the Playcast Games-on-Demand service concludes 4 years of development and positions Playcast Media as the only live and deployed service of its kind on cable television.
The Playcast Media Games-on-Demand pilot allows Hot Cable TV viewers to play modern, high-end video games on their existing set-top box, using a game pad or controller, without lags or latency. Playcast's system uses a proprietary new technology to deliver PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 quality games, on demand, to ordinary cable or telco set-top boxes via standard cable telephone lines. This field proven technology uses ultra high-speed processing to handle off-the-shelf games and distribute the game's audio/ visual output as digital video.
"The Playcast Media services pilot proves the viability of this type of on-demand service and brings to fruition the vision of TV Games-on-Demand, enabling new growth opportunities for game publishers and TV operators with minimum investment, as well as an affordable gaming experience to hundreds of millions of cable and IPTV subscribers around the world,” said Guy De Beer, CEO of Playcast.
The objective of this comprehensive trial, or pilot, is to beta test the Playcast Media system at full capacity on a live cable network, while getting important user feedback on the portal UI (user interface) and the groundbreaking gaming experience. The Playcast Media Games-on-Demand service will be followed by a full operational rollout of the service in Israel at the end of the pilot period.
Playcast Media is a complete gaming service solution for Cable and IPTV operators, and brings next-generation IP owners to hundreds of millions of connected households, with the ease of already established billing customer care and support systems through the cable operators.
Playcast Media allows for seamless integration between TV and games, bringing new business opportunities for publishers, broadcasters and advertisers. In addition to the pilot lsunch in Israel, Playcast Media is engaged in advanced evaluation phases with the world's leading Cable and IPTV operators, and expects to reach major markets in the US, Europe and Asia during 2009 and 2010.
About Playcast
Playcast Media is a privately held, start-up company based in Israel and
London, UK. Playcast Media was founded by Guy De Beer, a telecom and Cable veteran, previously head of Harmonic's VOD product lines and Dr. Nathan Peterfreund, previously the principal scientist in Harmonic [NASDAQ: HLIT], and one of the authors of the acclaimed H.264 compression standard. Earlier this year Alon Shtruzman, a seasoned media executive, who held senior positions at Fox international channels joined Playcast as COO. For more information, please visit www.playcast-media.com
NewTeeVee's Liz Shannon Miller Reviews New Web Series 'The Sanctum'
Big Thanks to Liz Shannon Miller over at NewTeeVee for reviewing Megan J. Wilson's new web series "The Sanctum"
See Liz's review here: http://bit.ly/tUdmI
io9 Writes Up Megan J. Wilson's "The Sanctum"
Thanks io9 for the great write-up on "The Sanctum"
The Blakes Announce New Album and Fall Tour
After touring the world with everyone from The Gossip to the Kills to Brian Jonestown Massacre, reaching #1 on KEXP, garnering Top 10 album of 07 on iTunes and performing at US festivals from Lollapalooza to Bumpershoot to Sasquatch, The Blakes release full length Souvenir on October 13th the long awaited follow up to the Streets EP & the recent reissue The Blakes LP.
Check out "Basket" and other songs from the upcoming release here
Tour Dates July 17 - Mississippi Studios - Portland, OR
July 24 - Neumos - Capitol Hill Block Party
August 3 - Crocodile - Seattle, WA
Who Loves The Blakes?
NPR
...similarly primed for success... there's no containing the primal, giddy energy that crackles through it... It's innocent and raunchy, wide-eyed and tunnel-visioned, all at once.
SPIN
Soak the Kinks in cheap booze, reignite the Stooges' strut and add some
modern Strokes of ambition, and you have the Blakes
Pitchfork
One of the pleasant surprises of the festival were the Blakes, the group blended Dandy Warhols-ish swampy guitars, twitchy Strokes rhythms, and
power-pop vocal harmonies, offering an energetic and unmannered romp through
modern rock radio. With messy arrangements and a theatrical drummer fond of
the both-sticks-in-the-air poses, their bluesy-cool rock brought a bit of
a dirty nightclub vibe to the sunny (if already very windy) afternoon.
Daytrotter The same kind of Seattle Band that takes you on with their dirty fast and
dangerous rock-n-roll. They've made Iggy Pop stop and take notice. All Music Guide ...they nevertheless, on sheer raw musical terms, have the stuff to break
into the big leagues and after hearing them tear it up live, it's hard not to
want to hear a full album of theirs.
Seattle PI
...their live shows definitely credit the band's authenticity and adoration.
Seattle Weekly
The Blakes are incredibly hard workers, earnestly committed to their craft,
and practically academic in their obsession with executing the perfect pop song.
Some good stuff that you need to know about The Blakes
--The origins of the Blakes are rooted somewhere in the backwoods of central Maine, where brothers Garnet & Snow Keim created a shared ambition to deviate from their seemingly inevitable fates as lifelong paper mill employees (or something of that nature), and try their hands at music
--In the spring of 1999, the duo found themselves in Seattle, where they ended their epic search for a drummer in Bob Husak, who was toiling away as a barista.
--From there, the trio took off for the sunny skies of LA landing at the Days Inn in Glendale and recording their first full-length album during the TV off-season at CBS studios. On the name "The Blakes:" The name came to Garnet in a dream after he¹d attended a showing of the works of William Blake. The newly formed Blakes recorded two EP's in succession. The Bottle was recorded in 2004 and another called Little Whispers in 2005. AND along with a relocation back to Seattle, The Blakes had become notable for their chaotic and highly energetic live shows.
Ever ambitious, the boys recorded over forty songs for their third full length. When it was whittled down, The Blakes personally took several copies over to KEXP, which immediately championed the band and catapulted them to #1 on their charts. They eventually signed to local indie imprint Light in the Attic Records. In the summer of 2007, the label issued an EP, Streets, which featured three album tracks and two exclusives.
In the meantime, the band played several high profile Northwest shows, including appearances at Sasquatch, Bumbershoot and Capitol Hill Block Party and started embarking on cross country national tours.
In Europe, the boys played the TV show Album de la Semaine in France and toured with the Gossip, the Kills and Pete and the Pirates as part of the Musicale en Tournee tour, which was filmed and edited into a TV special for Canal+ and supported the Wombats across the UK. Other touring partners abroad include the Brian Jonestown Massacre in England, France, and Germany.
Festival dates in the US followed including Sasquatch and Bumbershoot, and also performed at Lollapalooza, SXSW, MusicFest NorthWest, CMJ and Sunfest in Miami.
iTunes voted the Blakes album one of the Top 10 records of 2007. Garnet and Snow put out a full-length record consisting of more introspective songs as BEADS earlier in the year. The forthcoming Souvenir will be self released this fall For PR: Samantha Tillman @ Daffodil Publicity- samantha@daffodilpublity.com For All Other Band Info: Paula Gould PEG PR paula@paulagould.com