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Saturday July 31, 2004 _________________________________________________________________ Travel Channel to air "Fan's Guide: Walt Disney World" in August
The Travel Channel will offer a backstage
tour of the most thrilling Walt Disney World attractions,
the shortest lines, the best shopping and more in a special
titled "Fan's Guide: Walt Disney World," airing on
Aug. 1 and 5 at 9 p.m. and on Aug. 2 and 6 at midnight.
The special is one of many the Travel Channel has taped at the resort in the past two years, including "Undiscovered Walt Disney World," "Walt Disney World's Ultimate Ten" and "Secrets of Disney's Animal Kingdom.
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Who shot Goofy? It's a mystery
The scenario was almost laughable – a
life-sized, stuffed Goofy laid out on a hospital gurney for a
brain X-ray. The medical mystery? Was the Disney cartoon dog
the unintended victim of a drive-by shooting in San Diego a
few years ago?
The X-ray clearly showed a bullet, probably a
.22-caliber, lodged in Goofy's cranial stuffing. A story and
photo were published July 29 on the front page of The
Dominion Post, the primary newspaper in New Zealand's
capital city of Wellington. Disney is big in New Zealand. This
Goofy is part of a huge private collection that once belonged
to a San Diego man. It's on exhibit there Aug. 4-24 in
celebration of Mickey Mouse's 75th anniversary.
Goofy was one of several thousand Disney items dating from 1920s into the 1990s collected by City Heights postal worker Sam Aguirre. After he died two years ago, his widow and children sought a buyer for the whole collection. New Zealand Disney enthusiast Andrew McClennan flew to San Diego and bought it. When McClennan first visited the Aguirres' home, he said he found nearly every room packed with memorabilia. "The Aguirres lived 'inside' their collection," McClennan says. He learned about the family's suspicion that Goofy had taken a bullet while watching a TV interview with them. Little is known of the drive-by shooting except that the Aguirres found a bullet hole in their laundry room window. They never located the bullet, but Goofy was opposite the glass. Before putting him on exhibit, McClennan decided to have Goofy checked out, and, indeed, testing revealed a bullet in the thick foam stuffing of his head. Goofy's new owner isn't asking doctors to extract the slug – after all, it adds to the item's mystique. One mystery still remains, though: Who shot Goofy? |
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Friday July 30, 2004 ________________________________________________________________ Lawyer: Disney wants Tigger costume changed for molestation trial
Walt Disney World wants to protect the
innocent image of Tigger during an upcoming sexual
molestation trial of an employee dressed as the character,
and has asked that the orange striped costume be changed for
the case, an attorney said.
Michael Chartrand was charged with molesting a 13-year-old girl in February while he was dressed as Tigger at Disney World's Toon Town. The trial is scheduled to begin Monday. A Disney lawyer suggested that the orange Tigger costume be dyed black or white and its ears be removed, said Chartrand's attorney, Jeffrey S. Kaufman Jr. "Disney doesn't want this costume out there," Kaufman said. "They want to protect their copyright. They want to take off everything that would make it look like Tigger." A Disney spokeswoman confirmed that attorneys expressed concern to Kaufman and prosecutors about using the Tigger costume at trial. But she wouldn't comment about suggestions of coloring the costume or taking off its ears. "Our hope is that the use of our costume will be handled with appropriate sensitivity so as to preserve the dreams and magic for our younger guests as much as possible," Jacquee Polak said. Kaufman, who has also played Tigger at Disney and works part-time as a costumed character at the theme park, said he refused to let the costume be "bastardized" because an altered Tigger suit could make his client look demonic or freakish. Kaufman said he expects jurors to handle the costume, so they can see how difficult it would be to grope a young girl in the bulky outfit. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ "Village" aims to scare audiences Four major movies enter a crowded market on Friday led by director M. Night Shyamalan's mystery "The Village" which looks to be the weekend's box office champ despite a rash of mostly scary reviews. "The Village" from The Walt Disney Co. debuts in 3,730 theaters, or 863 more than its next closest rival, Denzel Washington thriller "The Manchurian Candidate" in 2,867 venues, according to box office tracker Exhibitor Relations Inc. The theater count, plus Shyamalan's strong following and box office history, give "Village" an edge over Oscar-winner Washington's obvious ability to draw crowds. Comedy "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle" is in 2,135 theaters and family film "Thunderbirds" is in 2,057 theaters. After a rough year at box offices, Disney looks for a hit from Shyamalan, who enjoys a strong following among the young men who make up the core audience of movie-goers. Fortunately for Disney, those audiences rarely listen to critics. "It's tedious instead of provocative and so unconvincing as to be preposterous," wrote the Los Angeles Times in one of several negative reviews the film received. The Seattle Times called it "affecting but uneven," while filmcritic.com said "generally excellent filmmaking and clever plot twists redeem things on the whole." But Shyamalan is, undoubtedly, successful at the box office. "The Sixth Sense" hauled in $294 million at U.S. and Canadian box offices and 2002's "Signs" racked up $228 million. "If you had to categorize ("The Village"), you could say it is a suspenseful, period love story," he told reporters in a recent interview. In the film, an isolated farming utopia in Pennsylvania has cut itself off from contact with the outside world and made a deal with creatures living in the surrounding woods: you don't bother us, and we won't bug you. But when Lucius (Joaquin Phoenix) tests this rule, the creatures begin an assault on the town. He, his young lover, Ivy (Bryce Dallas Howard) and all the townsfolk are in peril. _________________________________________________________________________________________________
ESPN sets up shop at Disney
A little more than a year ago, hardly
anyone outside the television business knew Al Jaffe's
name. Not anymore.
Thanks to the first season of ESPN's Dream Job, the man responsible for hiring SportsCenter anchors walked into the spotlight when he served as an on-air judge for the show. Jaffe said he'll be in town this weekend to help hold an open casting call for the second season of Dream Job, starting at 9 a.m. today. "It's been neat," said Jaffe, who's been with ESPN since 1987. "Before the show started, I told my wife I'd probably hear from a lot of old people I haven't talked to for a while. She said, 'Al, all your friends are old. They'll all be asleep when the show's on.' "Sure enough, one of the first e-mails I got was from my college roommate, who said he was asleep but that his son told him the guy on the show looked really familiar. It's been fun overall." The Dream Job auditions comprise just a small part of ESPN The Weekend, a grand celebration of sports fans and the network's 25th anniversary at Disney's MGM Studios. Aside from the theme park's normal attractions, fans paying the standard admission price ($55 for a one-day resident pass, though season passes will work as well) also will see: Two dozen ESPN personalities, including Dan Patrick, Stuart Scott and Linda Cohn. A number of interactive sports-themed games and challenges, such as an actual SportsCenter desk that fans can sit behind for photo opportunities. Interactive forums to ask questions of the sports celebrities in attendance, as well as hourly parades featuring some of those celebrities. And a chance to watch a host of live ESPN programming produced on-site such as Baseball Tonight, and -- yes -- SportsCenter. Surprisingly, all of this came together rather quickly. Ken Potrock, senior vice president for Walt Disney World Marketing, said the process has been rolling for only about four months, setting a frenetic pace. That wasn't the case of drawing in sports celebrities, though. "You'd be surprised how easy it was to get those athletes here," Potrock said. "We've worked with them in the past, they love Disney World and most of them are coming with their families, so it all works out well for everyone." Things may not look quite so rosy for most Dream Job contestants, though. In fact, both Jaffe and Carol Silver, co-creator of the show, said very few people make it to New York for the final cut. "People are showing up much more serious about this than last year," Silver said. "Last year, we had Hooters girls come in, random city people wandering the streets. We even had a 73-year-old guy who looked like Yogi Berra. Now people have seen the show and know a little more what we want." Here's what you can expect if you think you have what it takes to make it all the way to SportsCenter: First, trying out for the show is free. Just show up at the production window at the front of the theme park and you'll be escorted to the proper place. Second, you can't have had more than six months of professional on-air experience on either TV or radio. Once you're there, you'll take a tough sports knowledge test. Pass that and it's time to join a group of 10 or so to stand in front of recruiters, such as Jaffe or Silver, and discuss current sports events in rapid-fire succession. This is where your personality comes into play. Maybe one of 10 who pass the initial sports test gets a call to return the next day, when more tests await. It's all designed to make sure whoever wins has what it takes to succeed. "I don't want another 40-regular," Jaffe said. "I want someone who stands out with substance. Shtick over substance might get you to another round, but it won't get you on the show." In other words, living out your Dream won't be easy, but you can still enjoy the rest of the show. 3-point play: Best of the Rest Today Boxing: Tyson vs. Williams, 9 p.m., Pay-per-view. The intrigue in this bout hardly centers around watching Mike Tyson in the ring. Heck, we saw his punching-bag impression two years ago against Lennox Lewis. No, two things stand out as curiosities worth watching: the pre-fight presentation (the Tyson-Lewis fight had security personnel cutting the ring diagonally) and any post-fight interview with Tyson (in 2002, he had malapropisms aplenty). By the way, Danny Williams (31-3) hails from London and owns the WBU International heavyweight crown. Showtime's Steve Albert and Al Bernstein will call the fight, and roving reporter Jim Gray will add his normal insanity to a show that costs $44.99 to order. Saturday Men's basketball: U.S. Olympic team vs. Puerto Rico, 1 p.m., ESPN. Jacksonville gets some additional practice hosting an event of international interest when Team USA begins its Olympics warm-up schedule. Tim Duncan, LeBron James, Allen Iverson and company take on mighty Puerto Rico, with Jim Durham and Bill Walton on hand to call the action. After this game, the team heads overseas to take on Italy, Germany, Serbia and Turkey (twice) before settling in Athens to run for a fourth straight gold medal. Monday Golf: Battle at the Bridges, 7-8 p.m., ESPN2; 8 p.m.-completion, ABC (WFTV-Ch. 9). The sixth installment of live, prime-time golf comes your way again from San Diego, where no less than five ABC commentators will keep viewers informed of the high-stakes 2-on-2 matchup. This year, Tiger Woods teams with long-driving Hank Kuehne against Phil Mickelson and John Daly. Aside from the main purse, the match also features four holes worth $300,000 to the player smacking the longest drive that stays in the fairway. When asked how he felt about Kuehne taking over his reign as long-driving champ last year, Daly told reporters, "I've played with Hank a lot, but we don't really pay attention to how long we hit it. The game of golf, what matters is your score." Right. That's sort of like saying people noticed Dennis Rodman because of his great defense and team play. Channel surfing Today, NBC will announce the names of 10 people from the area who will comprise a 22-person field hoping to make their mark in competitive TV viewing. (Yes, there is such a thing.) Kevin Keaveney, whose previous record of 46 hours, 30 minutes and 50 seconds was broken, will be among the people trying to set a new standard in the Guinness Book of World Records. The contest will take place at Universal Orlando, starting with the Opening Ceremonies and continuing with NBC's Olympic coverage. Talk about an Olympic feat. Terry Bowden, who hosts an afternoon show on 1080 AM (ESPN Radio) will leave his role on ABC's college football studio show to call games as part of a three-man booth with Mike Tirico and Tim Brant. "Terry's very enthusiastic about this," said Mike Pearl, executive producer of ABC Sports. "He had a lot to say, and you can't always get all that in while you're showing highlights. This should give him a better chance to do that." ABC brings in former Green Bay Packers offensive tackle Aaron Taylor to take Bowden's spot alongside John Saunders and Craig James. The network also hired Jamal Anderson, Mike Golic and Dan Reeves to work as game analysts from time to time. Now that most of the NFL training camps have opened, ESPN returns with the 12th season of Monday Night Countdown, starting at 10 p.m. Monday. The usual suspects, such as Stuart Scott, Michael Irvin and Tom Jackson, all come back to talk football and provide segments, such as "Jacked Up!" when Jackson picks his five biggest hits of the weekend. Of course, that won't happen until games actually start. Unless he's talking about music. And speaking of music, running classic sports highlights during live performances from bands equals either a talk show or a drippy time-filler like "One Shining Moment" that CBS runs after every NCAA Final Four title game, not current sports news. Got that, SportsCenter? The way that show's going, we'll see a studio audience before long. Lance Armstrong's sixth straight Tour de France victory propelled Outdoor Life Network to its best-ever ratings. The Tour's live coverage of the final day brought OLN a 1.63 rating, and overall, live coverage rose from 0.50 last year to 0.62 this year. NBC (WESH-Ch. 2) takes over coverage of the U.S. Senior Open from 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, sending its top crew (Dan Hicks and Johnny Miller will anchor coverage) to St. Louis to see if Bruce Lietzke can defend his crown. . . . If you're not into old-school golf, CBS (WKMG-Ch. 6) has Tiger Woods, Vijay Singh, John Daly and other stars playing at the PGA Tour Buick Open, also 3-6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Bill Macatee and Lanny Wadkins anchor CBS' telecast. As if DirecTV's NFL Sunday Ticket package weren't enough of a must-have for the NFL fan, the satellite provider plans to offer 100 games this season in high-definition, four times the amount of HD games shown last season. And finally, in case you haven't caught Freddy Adu fever yet, ABC will have the 15-year-old MLS phenom and Landon Donovan wearing wireless microphones during the MLS All-Star Game at 2 p.m. Saturday (WFTV-Ch. 9). No mention of an extravagant halftime show, so apparently the league doesn't want to cut the game time to preserve a full halftime, as it did in 2002.
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More Than 30 Sports Stars and Former
Olympians to Join ESPN Personalities for ESPN's 25th
Celebration at Disney-MGM Studios
ESPN The Weekend -- ESPN's 25th anniversary celebration at Disney-MGM Studios at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., July 31 and Aug. 1 -- will give fans of all sports the opportunity to see many of their favorite athletes as more than 30 professional sports stars and former Olympians are scheduled to appear, along with more than 25 ESPN personalities. The list of Hall of Famers, sports legends and current stars will feature athletes and coaches from Major League Baseball, the NBA, NFL, NHL, the Olympics and the world of action sports. In all, ESPN The Weekend will mark the largest collection of sports stars ever assembled at one time at the Walt Disney World theme parks. Those scheduled to appear include: Scotty Bowman, Grant Fuhr, Richard "Rip" Hamilton, Michael Irvin, Bruce Jenner, Mike Metzger, Joe Namath, Dave Stewart, Kerri Strug, Lawrence Taylor, Joe Theismann, James Worthy and others. Over the two days, ESPN will present live telecasts (spaced through morning, afternoon and evening) from a set in front of the Disney-MGM Studios Mickey's Sorcerer's Hat. On-site programs include a special season-preview edition of College GameDay and live, on-site telecasts of Baseball Tonight (twice daily) as well as SportsCenter and ESPNEWS segments. Park guests can watch the programs live as well as via two large video screens. ESPN personalities scheduled to appear include: SportsCenter anchors Linda Cohn, Dana Jacobson, Dan Patrick, Stuart Scott, Trey Wingo and newcomer Mike Hall, as well as the broadcast teams from Baseball Tonight, Cold Pizza, College GameDay and Fuera de Juego on ESPN Deportes. In addition to the ESPN broadcasts, sports celebrities and ESPN personalities will make appearances throughout Disney-MGM Studios during this first-of-its-kind event. ESPN The Weekend will include star motorcades and conversations with network personalities and athletes; sports shows in the ESPN Theater featuring ESPN commentators and athletes; a visit from ESPN The Truck; a special sports edition of the game show attraction "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire-Play It!; the ESPN Sports Zone interactive area; a SportsCenter and play-by-play "role play" area; and an exclusive ESPN The Commercials video of blunders and thrills. ESPN's reality series Dream Job kicks off ESPN The Weekend with an open casting call for its second and third seasons on Friday, July 30, at Disney-MGM Studios. The weekend will culminate with a final tribute to the past 25 years in sports orchestrated to a Disney pyrotechnics show exploding over the park's 12-story Mickey's Sorcerer's Hat icon. Sports celebrities scheduled to appear include (not all personalities will appear both days): FOOTBALL:
Ottis Anderson -- Former NFL running
back (New York Giants)
Mack Brown -- Current college head coach (University of Texas) Harry Carson -- Former NFL linebacker (New York Giants) Eric Dickerson -- NFL Hall of Fame running back (Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis Colts), former ABC Sports Monday Night Football sideline reporter Ralph Friedgen -- Current college head coach (University of Maryland) Darrell Green -- Former NFL defensive back (Washington Redskins) Desmond Howard -- Former NFL wide receiver (Detroit Lions) Michael Irvin -- Former NFL wide receiver (Dallas Cowboys) Jim Kelly -- Former NFL quarterback (Buffalo Bills) Willie Lanier -- NFL Hall of Fame linebacker (Kansas City Chiefs) Karl Mecklenburg -- Former NFL defensive lineman (Denver Broncos) Joe Namath -- NFL Hall of Fame quarterback (NY Jets) Nick Saban -- Current college head coach (Louisiana State University) Lawrence Taylor -- NFL Hall of Fame linebacker (NY Giants) Joe Theismann -- Former NFL quarterback (Washington Redskins) BASEBALL:
Gary Carter -- Former MLB catcher
(NY Mets, Montreal Expos)
Jim Morris -- Former MLB pitcher (Tampa Bay Devil Rays), real-life story behind Walt Disney Pictures The Rookie Dave Stewart -- Former MLB pitcher (Oakland A's) BASKETBALL:
Greg Anthony -- Former NBA player
(NY Knicks, Portland Trailblazers), ESPN NBA analyst
Rick Barry -- NBA Hall of Fame player (Golden State Warriors) Caron Butler -- Current NBA player (Los Angeles Lakers) Richard "Rip" Hamilton -- Current NBA player (Detroit Pistons) James Worthy -- NBA Hall of Fame player (Los Angeles Lakers) HOCKEY:
Scotty Bowman -- Former NHL coach
(St. Louis Blues, Montreal Canadiens, Pittsburgh Penguins,
Detroit Red Wings)
Grant Fuhr -- Hall of Fame NHL player (Edmonton Oilers) Ken Morrow -- Former NHL player/member of 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team Craig Patrick -- Former NHL player/assistant coach of 1980 U.S. Olympic Hockey Team John Tortorella -- Current NHL coach (Tampa Bay Lightning) OLYMPICS:
Bonnie Blair -- Former U.S. Speed
Skater
Dorothy Hamill -- Former U.S. Figure Skater Dan Jansen -- Former U.S. Speed Skater Bruce Jenner -- Former U.S. Decathlete Mary Lou Retton -- Former U.S. Gymnast Kerri Strug -- Former U.S. Gymnast ACTION SPORTS:
Mike Metzger -- X Games gold
medallist (Motocross)
ESPN personalities scheduled to appear include (not all personalities will appear both days):
Linda Cohn -- SportsCenter
Dana Jacobson -- SportsCenter Dan Patrick -- SportsCenter Stuart Scott -- SportsCenter Trey Wingo -- SportsCenter Peter Gammons -- Baseball Tonight John Kruk -- Baseball Tonight Karl Ravech -- Baseball Tonight Harold Reynolds -- Baseball Tonight Rob Dibble -- ESPN Radio / Baseball Tonight Lee Corso -- College GameDay Chris Fowler -- College GameDay Kirk Herbstreit -- College GameDay Luis Omar Tapia -- Feura de Juego Diego Balado -- Feura de Juego Randy Alvarez -- Feura de Juego Carlos Hermosillo -- Feura de Juego Thea Andrews -- Cold Pizza Jay Crawford -- Cold Pizza Kit Hoover -- Cold Pizza Mike Hall -- Dream Job winner, SportsCenter Aaron Levine -- Dream Job Season One Maggie Haskins -- Dream Job Season One Sal Paolantonio -- NFL reporter Howie Schwab -- Coordinating Producer, Studio Production, Stump The Schwab
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Disney pulls plug on Duluth films
Disney says you can wish upon a star, you
just can’t watch movies under them.
Duluth officials learned this the hard way when they tried to order a copy of “Finding Nemo” for their popular Flicks on the Bricks outdoor family film series. Duluth’s Downtown Manager, Alisa Williams, called Swank Motion Pictures, Inc., a St. Louis-based company that distributes non-theatrical movies for public showings. The company had advertised “Finding Nemo” in its catalog, but informed Williams Disney corporate bigwigs recently decided they’d no longer allow their animated films to be shown outside.
“I guess their reasoning is it would take
away from anyone going to the theater and the experience
of watching the movie,” Williams said. “I kind of
think it’s crazy.”
Williams said she’s shown animated Disney movies at Flicks on the Bricks every year since the film festival debuted in 2001. The kicker, Williams said, is that Disney will let her show the studio’s live-action films, like “Miracle,” slated to be shown next week. The new regulation means two scheduled Flicks on the Bricks movies will be changed — instead of watching “Nemo” on Aug. 6, families will get “Shrek,” and instead of “Monsters, Inc.” on Oct. 23, viewers can watch the Don Knotts film “The Ghost and Mr. Chicken.” Williams said she thinks kids will be pleased with the substitute offerings, but said it’s a shame youngsters can no longer watch Disney flicks under the stars.
“They just take you back into the past a
little bit. There’s no drive-ins anymore, and children
have never had that,” she said.
A Disney spokeswoman, reached by phone
Thursday, said, “In regards to releasing our films, we
do not comment on our overall business plan or
strategy.”
Officials with Swank Motion Pictures Inc.,
did not return phone calls by press time. As for Williams,
the decision may have cost the company a loyal customer.
“In the future, I’ll probably think
twice before ordering another Disney movie,” she said.
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Disney to open August
program at Flyer
A Disney Spectacular, opening on Aug. 4 at
7:30 p.m. with additional performances on Aug. 5 and 6 at
10:30 a.m. is only one of the many great shows appearing
in the Dennis Flyer Theatre at Camden County College,
Blackwood during the first week of August.
Enjoy a great musical review loaded with songs from most of your favorite Disney movies both new and old.
Tickets for A Disney Spectacular are $8 for
the evening performance and $6 for daytime.
On Aug. 5 Summer Stage will present Dance Explosion. This evening of dance will showcase a wide range of dance styles and new choreography. Choreographer, Suzi Waldie, has worked intensely with a group of dancers sharing her Broadway back round and years of professional choreography. Tickets are $6. Stephen Spielberg beware because the next award-winning film artists will premier their work on Aug. 6 at 7:30 p.m. Two six-week programs under the direction of Becky Horvath, graduate of the N.Y.U. Tisch School of Film, will showcase their final film projects. Tickets are $5.
Then the Summer Stage season comes to an
end with the Harmony Show Choir Bon Voyage Concert on Aug.
7 at 7:30 p.m. South Jersey's premier show choir will give
a sneak peek at the show they have put together to wow the
audiences in Tennessee. Tickets are $10.
All of the Summer Stage shows are presented
in the Dennis Flyer Theatre.
Tickets for all of these events can be
purchased on line at www.mainstage.org/summerstageschedule.html
or by calling Mainstage Center for the Arts at (856)
227-3091.
_________________________________________________________________________________________________ Animation Niche's Overdrawn With DreamWorks set to spin off its animation studio and promising to ramp up its computer-rendered production, it's going to get crowded at the pixilated multiplex soon. Rick Munarriz takes a closer look at DreamWorks, Disney, and Pixar, and sees the potential for great rewards -- as well as perilous pitfalls. If DreamWorks has its way, it won't be just Shrek fans seeing a little green later this year. With Shrek 2 lapping Pixar's Finding Nemo to become the highest-grossing animated feature film of all time this summer, the announcement of DreamWorks Animation to go public couldn't have come at a better time. On the surface, it seems like a can't-miss proposition. When rival Pixar went public in 1995, just as Toy Story was making its holiday season debut, it commanded a $1.5 billion market cap, Investors bid up the shares despite the fact that Pixar was a relatively unproven studio and partner Disney had it tied to a Machiavellian pact that found Pixar surrendering the lion's share of the profits as well as the characters it created. Now consider DreamWorks Animation. Not only does it have the most productive franchise in theatrical animation history under its belt before tapping Wall Street for greenery, it owns it all -- down to the last slime-covered toadstool. While it is shackled to its parent company as a distribution partner through 2010, it still stands to reap 100% of the profitable fruit of its laborious harvest while retaining complete creative and licensing control of its rendered releases. That's huge, especially when you have a hit on your thick, grubby ogre hands. While Pixar has been challenged to produce a new flick every year, DreamWorks has the pipeline stocked with enough productions to release two a year. That's not just rhetoric. Even as Shrek 2 continues to play at a movie theater near you, its fishy-fueled Shark Tale is now just months away from splitting the celluloid curtains. And, as if to paint market leader Pixar as an industry slacker, DreamWorks is also putting out a prime-time animated TV series with Father of the Pride debuting this fall on General Electric' NBC. With the company looking to raise $650 million, assuming that the firm is ultimately valued in the ballpark of $3 billion, it might appear to be a compelling value if one didn't know any better. Pixar is nearly a $4 billion company today, but it will be splitting profits with Disney through the end of next year, and all of its handiwork up to that point will still have Disney howling out "mine" like a flock of hungry Australian seagulls. So even though I ran -- I ran so far away -- I couldn't get away from the financials. NightmareWorks Naturally, this will all change as the money from the popular Shrek sequel starts trickling in. It's not just the global box-office receipts. In November, Shrek 2 will hit the home video and DVD market. Pixar's last two releases, as well as the original Shrek, moved more than 25 million copies apiece, and this one should shatter those milestones. It's obviously fair to say that animation has been taken too kindly in the retail space. Even DreamWorks' five hand-drawn releases, averaging a rather ordinary $72 million at the multiplex, still managed to sell a cumulative 44 million units in the home video and DVD market. Once you start tacking on broadcasting rights to the lucrative licensing rights that come from rich characterizations, then you begin to realize how a pure play in animation can truly rock. If you like Pixar's numbers now, just imagine how good they'll look in a couple of years when it doesn't have to share the pie. But in hyping up the prospects for DreamWorks Animation, it seems as if the numbers keep getting in the way. Pixar has gone through the cyclical lulls between releases, yet it has always managed to produce healthy income statements. Its hefty net margins have kept the company afloat through thick and thin. So why did DreamWorks Animation report a loss that was almost as wide as the company's top line last year, and is there any hope that it will ever become the lean, green money-printing machine that is Pixar? The balance sheet isn't very encouraging. The amount of debt that has been allocated to the company by its parent over the past two years has more than doubled from $168 million to $380 million. Those saddles wear heavy, especially given the bottom-heavy balance sheet that finds the company coming to market with negative book value before the offering's proceeds trickle in. Pixar's consistency, efficiency, and potential earned the stock props, but DreamWorks has a long way to go if it wants to get there. Some investors might also grimace at the diluted voting power behind the class of shares being offered by DreamWorks Animation. The insiders will retain Class B stock that carries 15 times the voting power of the freshly minted shares. That doesn't bother me as much as knowing that Apple's Steve Jobs owns a controlling stake in Pixar, so it's not as if the shareholders have any material say in that company either. Then again, if you know DreamWorks Animation CEO Jeffrey Katzenberg, then you don't want to tinker with his power. Katz and dogs He left the company, helped launch DreamWorks, and has been sparring with Eisner ever since. Katzenberg sued Disney to claim his share of the royalties during the animation studio's gravy days -- and won. Katzenberg has also taken his battle with Eisner to the big screen. DreamWorks' releases Antz and the upcoming Shark Tale are suspiciously similar in subject matter to Disney-distributed Pixar flicks. Watch Shrek, and you will fill up a laundry list of salvos flung toward Disney and Eisner. Yet success is the ultimate revenge. That's why it has to make Katzenberg's pride swell to see his company ready to take the public markets by storm just as Disney is backpedaling out of animated supremacy. There will be computer-rendered collateral in this animation war. My biggest concern is the one that no one sees yet. The same thing that all but killed traditional hand-drawn animation -- Disney's reckless disregard of the standards of excellence -- is threatening to nip computer-rendered features short as well. There are some who argue that the days of ink and paint just sauntered toward extinction, but I firmly believe that it was Disney's decision to fill up the distribution channels with substandard direct-to-video releases that sullied the Disney brand as well as the medium. Computer-generated features would have been unlikely to create this kind of buzz if Pixar had never existed -- or if Pixar had chosen to color by hand instead of by microchip. Pixar puts out a great product. Period. Delivered on an Etch-a-Sketch, it would still blow the public away. But now that Disney is in John Derek mode -- by teaming up with smaller studios to replace the computer animation void that will be left behind when Pixar moves out come 2006 -- and DreamWorks Animation is bent on pumping out two new features annually, you're going to see quite a bit of junk being put out. It will be a lot like Jessica Simpson. Breathtakingly gorgeous on the outside. Disappointingly hollow on the inside. Yes, there will be hits -- some of them huge -- but it will be the misses that will ultimately scare away the public from automatically lining up for new releases based on the format alone. That's significant because the average cost of marketing a movie has nearly tripled to $39 million over the past 10 years. That raises the bar on what it takes to succeed, and it should be even more worrisome if the format is about to suffer from the dilution. _________________________________________________________________________________________________
`Nemo Fest' Held Today
When it comes to finding Nemo, Lakeland is
the first place to look.
"Disney/Pixar's Finding Nemo," a live ice production scheduled to tour the world, will make its premiere Sept. 3-4 at The Lakeland Center. The facility is celebrating the production by holding a "Nemo Fest" today as tickets for the Disney on Ice spectacle go on sale. The kids party takes place from 5 to 7 p.m. and will include a search for prizes hidden in 500 pounds of sand, as well as a coloring contest, balloons, an aquarium and chances to win tickets. Erica Smith, marketing director for The Lakeland Center, says artist Jim Richardson constructed a 5-ton sand sculpture in The Lakeland Center's lobby especially for the event. Preparations for the Disney on Ice tour, on the other hand, will be taking place behind closed doors at The Lakeland Center leading up to the premiere performance. Smith says in recent years Disney has used the facility as a staging point while putting together its ice skating productions. "Lakeland is the very first area and market ever to see a Disney on Ice production, and then it goes on tour to all the other areas throughout the United States," Smith says. "We get a new show every year because Disney uses The Lakeland Center as their production site. Many arenas are seeing shows we already saw three or four years ago. We're probably the only building that sees new shows every year."
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Amid Questions, Gruden Hopeful As
Training Camp Opens
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers report to training
camp today facing a situation the franchise hasn't faced
since 1996.
They are trying to rebound from a losing season. The last time the Bucs finished below .500 (6-10 in 1996), they rebounded the next season in Tony Dungy's second year to finish 10-6 and make the playoffs. Today, the Bucs report for their third training camp under head coach Jon Gruden, whose club finished 7-9 last season after winning the Super Bowl the year before. As they have done the past two years, the Bucs will be housed at Celebration Hotel in downtown Celebration and will hold daily practices at Disney's Wide World of Sports through Aug. 18. The first workouts will be Saturday at 8:30 a.m. and 2:45 p.m. It's a team with some uncertainties. There are several new faces in camp and some old familiar faces are gone. Among the departed are defensive tackle Warren Sapp, strong safety John Lynch and wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson. The newcomers include running back Charlie Garner, wide receiver Joey Galloway and tackle Todd Steussie. One of the biggest questions facing the Bucs at the moment is whether wide receiver Keenan McCardell will report to camp. Although he still has two years left on his contract, McCardell wants to renegotiate and has threatened to hold out. He did not participate in any of the Bucs' summer workouts. One thing is certain. The Bucs are a much older team. They have 32 players with at least seven years of NFL experience and 18 players who are 30 or older. Four years ago, under Dungy, they reported to camp with just 10 seven-year veterans and four 30year-olds. This will also be the Bucs' first training camp with new general manager Bruce Allen in charge. The McCardell issue aside, Gruden said at last month's mini-camp that he expects his team to be ready for camp. "They'll be prepared as long as they take advantage of the hot weather," he said. "You've got to get yourself acclimated to the heat down here, but mentally, I think these guys are ready to go." For some of the veterans, training camp will be a transition time during which to learn Gruden's offense, especially for Garner and Galloway. Gruden said the two will add punch to the offense. "Galloway gets down the field in a hurry," he said. "Garner is what he is. He's one of the most productive backs in the last five years, rushing and receiving." Other significant issues to watch include: The health of fullback Mike Alstott (neck) and wide receiver Joe Jurevicius (knee). The development of safeties Jermaine Phillips and Dwight Smith after the departure of Lynch. The switch of Anthony McFarland from nose tackle to defensive tackle to fill the spot left by the free agency departure of Sapp. The competition for the No. 2 quarterback job between veteran Brian Griese and second-year pro Chris Simms.
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Disney Union Contract Vote Set
At least one group is
critical of company proposals on health insurance, pensions.
Thousands of Walt Disney World employees will vote next week on a new union contract after months of negotiations that failed once before to produce an agreement. However, a union leader acknowledged that negotiations likely will continue even if union members vote against the contract. Disney and the Service Trades Council -- a group that negotiates for about 20,000 workers from six individual local unions -- head into the latest round of negotiations with at least one union critical of company proposals on issues such as health insurance and pensions. The unions represent a wide range of employees, including characters, food and beverage workers, housekeepers, stage technicians, bus drivers and lifeguards. (Disney, with a Polk work force of about 5,000 is the county's secondlargest private employer.) Disney's existing three-year contract was extended after the two sides failed to reach an agreement before the contract's original expiration date of May 1. The latest union vote is scheduled for Aug. 6. Joe Condo, president of the Service Trades Council, said he expects to continue discussing economic issues with Disney until at least mid-August. The majority of noneconomic issues, such as work rules and changes to grievance procedures, have already been settled, Condo said. Disney is expected to make its first offers on wages and some other economic issues next week, he said. "This vote is so people can understand where we are with noneconomic items and update them on where we are with the first week of negotiations for economic issues," he said. There has never been a strike at Disney. Jerry Montgomery, a senior vice president for Disney who is involved in the negotiations, said it's too soon to comment on the negotiations. "There's still a lot of work to do before we could comment," Montgomery said. The Service Trades Council represents The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Local 631; United Food and Commercial Workers, Local 1625; Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees International Union, Locals 737 and 362; Teamsters, Local 385; and Transportation Communications International Union, Local 1908. Comments posted on two union Web sites reflect frustration with some of the company's proposals so far. Disney wants union workers to pay the same weekly costs for health insurance as nonunion workers and executives pay, Local 362 of the Hotel Employees and Restaurant Employees union, or HERE, said on its site. The United Food and Commercial Workers posted the same information. The company hasn't yet made a proposal on wages or overtime pay, but Disney is expected to offer bonuses rather than wage increases, Local 362 said. "So as the cost of gas, bread, milk, rent, medical insurance go up over the next one, two, three years, workers will have to pay the increased costs out of last year's --- or in the case of topped-out workers, 2000's -- rate of pay," the site said. "This is outrageous!" Local 362 said it's also unhappy with a proposal by Disney to increase the number of part-time positions, a move that might reduce the number of full-time positions. Disney also is proposing that workers hired after the contract is ratified would not be covered by the company's pension plan or receive personal time off, the union said.
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Disney's Play 4 Days is back!
Walt Disney World Resort treats Florida residents to unlimited park-hopping at all four Disney theme parks on any four days of their choosing between July 30 and Nov. 21, 2004 -- all for only $119* per person, plus tax. Compared to buying four one-day one-park tickets at $54.75 plus tax per day, the savings add up to $100 per resident for four unforgettable days of Disney park-hopping magic. Here are the money-saving details: Good for Walt Disney World theme park visits July 30 through Nov. 21, 2004 (no blockout dates). Exclusive to Florida residents; proof of residency for each guest required. Provides unlimited park-hopping privileges. That means multi-park visits in one day -- if the guest wishes -- and three more days to do the same thing. Purchase at Walt Disney World theme parks and other locations, such as Florida AAA offices and Florida Disney Stores. Cost of the Play 4 Days pass may be applied to a resident Annual or Seasonal pass. "With a full schedule of fun ahead, the timing couldn't be better for home-staters," said Al Weiss, president of Walt Disney World Resort. "Play 4 Days is their passport to fun -- and savings." Play 4 Days ticket holders enjoy a full slate of options, whatever they "elect" to experience ... attractions and events such as: Three electrifying first-year attractions -- Mission: SPACE at Epcot, and "Wishes" and "Mickey's PhilharMagic" at Magic Kingdom. The Epcot International Food and Wine Festival with more days and more ways to sample great food, fine wines and workshops, and groove to Eat to the Beat! concerts featuring name acts. This year's dates: Oct. 1-Nov. 14. Stitch's Great Escape, a new Tomorrowland attraction opening this fall and promising Magic Kingdom guests otherworldly sights, sounds and surprises -- with everybody's favorite six-limbed alien in the middle of the fun. ABC Super Soap Weekend Nov. 13-14 featuring more than 30 ABC Daytime stars in a fan-fest coming to Disney-MGM Studios. An art safari for culture buffs around Epcot as World Showcase opens its sixth gallery, American Heritage Gallery, with "Echoes of Africa" featuring artwork from the Disney-Tishman collection. Floridians can pair up their Play 4 Day savings on park admission with great deals on Disney accommodations. For Florida residents, Walt Disney World's famous resorts are posting great late summer and fall savings on room-only rates. Go to disneyworld.com and click on Florida Residents to find out more. For more information on Play 4 Days, guests can visit disneyworld.com/play4days or call 407/WDW-4DAYS. *With tax: $126.74
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DH to Publish Comic Adaptation of The
Incredibles
Comic Based on the Walt Disney Pictures presentation of a Pixar Animation Studios film Premiering November 2004 This November Dark Horse Comics, in conjunction with Disney Publishing Worldwide and Pixar Animation Studios, will publish a comic book adaptation of the Walt Disney Pictures presentation of a Pixar Animation Studios film, The Incredibles, a new animated feature about a family with extraordinary powers. The Incredibles premieres in theaters November 5, 2004. Pixar has created and produced five of the most successful and beloved animated films of all time: Academy Award®-winning Toy Story (1995); A Bug's Life (1998); Golden Globe-winning Toy Story 2 (1999); the Academy Award®-winning Monsters, Inc. (2001); and the Academy Award®-winning Finding Nemo (2003). During the golden age of Supers, heroes protected the populace from harm. The era’s main champion was the ultra strong Mr. Incredible. But things went awry for Mr. Incredible and the rest of the Supers when they were hit with a series of frivolous lawsuits brought against them by those they once saved. To diffuse the situation, the government created a relocation program for the Supers, who, in exchange for protection from further lawsuits, went into hiding and promised never to use their powers again. Fifteen years later, Mr. Incredible is simply Bob Parr, living the quiet suburban life with his wife Helen, and their three children. However, family life and the daily nine-to-five routine aren't enough for Bob, who frequently sneaks out to do "hero work" in the evenings. Bob's inability to move on from past glories soon puts a strain on his home life. But one day things take an unexpected turn when Bob is contacted by a mysterious woman who recruits him for some top secret hero work. This four-issue comic book series is adapted from the original film story, which was written by director Brad Bird (Iron Giant) and will feature illustrations by Incredibles storyboard artist Ricardo Curtis. The Incredibles issue #1 (of 4) arrives on sale November 24 with a retail price of $2.99. ________________________________________________________________ Scheduled Rehabs in August for WDW Epcot
Magic Kingdom
Downtown Disney
Boardwalk Villas
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Thursday July 29, 2004 _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Walt Disney World Resort Announces New "BASS" Fishing Excursions World-class theme parks and attractions are not the only reasons for visiting Walt Disney World Resort. There's fishing, too, with trophy-sized largemouth bass in the 14- pound range lurking in lakes and canals almost within casting distance of Cinderella Castle. Popular "catch and release" experiences around the Vacation Kingdom promise to "lure" even more guests to the Disney lakes, as Walt Disney World announced a new line-up of BASS fishing excursions with the nation's preeminent authority on the sport of fishing. From true beginners to expert anglers, thousands of Walt Disney World guests annually participate in fishing excursions on Bay Lake, Seven Seas Lagoon and other Disney waterways. New BASS excursions will provide guests with access to 100 new Bassmaster rods and reels, as well as depth finders and other professional-grade fishing equipment. Disney's experienced guide staff will sport BASS uniforms and apparel, and the fleet of Disney boats and marina menu boards will also be adorned with BASS marks. In addition to having access to some of the industry's best equipment, exceptional guides and Disney's stocked lakes, all BASS fishing participants at Walt Disney World will receive a one-year BASS membership, which includes: 11 issues of Bassmaster Magazine; a membership pack with a personalized membership card, colorful members-only decal, an embroidered patch and member handbook; free Gear Giveaways; a Boat Theft Reward; information on local BASS chapters; eligibility to compete in national events; and other exciting special discounts and benefits. "From children to adults, everyone who picks up a rod and reel at Walt Disney World should enjoy an authentic, exhilarating fishing experience, and this relationship with BASS will help ensure that," said Reggie Williams, vice president of Disney Sports Attractions. "As guests learn more about the exciting sport of bass fishing through our new BASS excursions, they are sure to be hooked for the rest of their lives." "This is a great way to promote BASS memberships as well as some of the finest bass fishing the country has to offer, which just happens to be in the shadow of the Magic Kingdom," said Dean Kessel, vice president and general manager of BASS. "I can't think of a better way to bring in new members while showcasing the mutual commitment to family activities and fishing education shared by BASS and Walt Disney World. It will also mean a lot to our existing membership that we have a presence at a respected, family-friendly vacation destination." The new BASS programs will also bring many of the world's best anglers to Walt Disney World Resort for BASS anglers special events and athlete appearances featuring the likes of 2003 Bassmaster Classic champion Mike Iaconelli, who has fished the Disney lakes on multiple occasions. Iaconelli also served as an unofficial BASS ambassador by presenting a trophy to members of the Atlanta Braves following the inaugural Walt Disney World Spring Training Bass Fishing Classic on Disney's Bay Lake in March 2004. Walt Disney World Resort Guests with little or no fishing experience can enjoy the thrill of guided BASS fishing excursions on the waterway systems at Walt Disney World Resort, including World Showcase Lagoon, Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon. Two-hour "catch-and-release" tours led by experienced fishing guides are offered daily on an advance-reservation basis. Pontoon boats are fully stocked for excursions with rods, reels, fishing gear, beverages and a digital camera. A party of up to five people can participate in tours and no fishing license is required. Prices range from $195-$215 for parties of five, and typical tour hours can be arranged for early morning, mid-morning or early afternoon. Guests can make reservations up to two weeks in advance at 407/WDW-BASS (2277). General BASS tours are also available for children, ages six to 12, for $30 per child for one hour. During construction of the Magic Kingdom theme park in the late 1960s, more than 70,000 bass fingerlings were released into Bay Lake and Seven Seas Lagoon. Organized fishing tours didn't start at Walt Disney World Resort until 1977, leaving bass to grow and breed undisturbed for years. The heaviest largemouth bass caught and recorded at the Vacation Kingdom was 14 pounds, 6 ounces. Guests routinely catch bass weighing from 2 to 8 pounds -- and guides relate tales of catches in the 12-pound range. Most trips catch five to 10 fish, depending upon time of day, number of people on board ... and luck. BASS fishing excursions are part of the menu of options available in various Dream Maker Packages at Walt Disney World Resort, which start at $359 per adult (based on double occupancy) for three nights. Guided fishing excursions can be booked at 407/WDW-BASS (2277). BASS BASS is the world's largest fishing organization, sanctioning more than 20,000 tournaments worldwide through its Federation. The Bassmaster Tournament Trail, which includes the all-new Bassmaster Elite 50 series, is the oldest and most prestigious pro bass fishing tournament circuit and continues to set the standard for credibility, professionalism and sportsmanship as it has since 1968. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ CS Lewis story
to roar on big screen The big budget movie is being filmed 54 years after it was written by the Belfast-born theologian and author - and is being tipped as the next Lord of the Rings-style hit. "I spent an absorbing week re-reading the yarn," said the star who won his best support Academy Award for his role as John Bayley in Iris. "Smashing stuff and I've got a great part as the Prof - just ask any little boy or girl who has had the story read to them at bedtime." Broadbent, who was also in Moulin Rouge and Bullets over Broadway, is joined in the cast of the £70m Walt Disney film by the Vicar of Dibley Dawn French as the voice of Mrs Beaver, Rupert Everett who is in Shrek 2, as the Voice of the Fox and Scottish actress Tilda Swinton as The White Witch. "The Lewis story is for all generations," said Miss Swinton who won awards for her role in Adaptation with Nicholas Cage. "Imagine, this story by theologian Lewis which he dreamed up first as a little boy in Belfast has sold 65 million copies around the world in 30 languages. "I'm going to make a realistic evil witch, just the way CS wanted her to be." And for James Cosmo, seen recently on Belfast cinemas as Glaucus in Troy starring Brad Pitt, the film will be a second chance to play a role he loves - Father Christmas. Cosmo had the part of Santa in Santa Claws, but will be best remembered as the grizzled warrior Campbell in Braveheart opposite Mel Gibson. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe and the Chronicles of Narnia first took shape in the family home at Circular Road in east Belfast where CS Lewis played hide and seek with his brother in an old wardrobe in the attic - a piece of furniture which is now a collector's item in Chicago. And in later life he would go walking at Craigantlet and dream up the fairytale that was to thrill several generations of children. Former Belfast Lord Mayor Dr Ian Adamson, an authority on Lewis, said today: "It's about time this film was shot. The Chronicles, and in particular the wardrobe story, rival anything in the Potter yarns and in The Lord of the Rings saga." _________________________________________________________________________________________________
It's been double
trouble for the Disney Channel when Dylan and Cole Sprouse
star in "The Suite Life," a new comedy.
The Sprouse twins, best known to viewers from "Big Daddy" and "Friends," will play 11-year-olds who live in the top-floor suites at a swanky Boston hotel. Their mother (Kim Rhodes, "As the World Turns") is a singer at the hotel and the have a series of adversaries in the hotel's gift shop clerk (Ashley Michelle Tisdale), the hotel owner's spoiled daughter (Brenda Song) and the hotel manager (Phill Lewis). Despite the constant supervision, they find a way to get into all sorts of trouble in their upper class playground. "We've set the bar high for live-action comedies and on the heels of the successful launch of 'Phil of the Future' and the now sever-days-a-week hit 'That's So Raven,' we have great expectations for this new comedy and we know kids will connect to its cast, especially the telegenic Sprouse twins," says Disney Channel President Rich Ross. The series was created by Danny Kallis ("Hangin' with Mr. Cooper") and Jim Geoghan ("Family Matters"). Production is set to begin this summer for a 2005 premiere. _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Stay in the middle of the magic with Disney Canadians will enjoy big savings this fall at the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida. A new offer available for travel August 29, 2004 to September 29, 2004, allows Canadians to book rooms for as low as $55 US per night at a value resort hotel like the new Disney’s Pop Century Resort — a savings of $22 US per room per night. But hurry! The offer must be booked before August 28, 2004. Rates for Disney Moderate and Disney
Deluxe resorts are available during this same time period at
varying rates and include savings up to $80 US per night.
This room offer is a great opportunity for Guests to combine
the benefits of staying at an on-site Walt Disney World
Resort hotel with the excitement of Disney’s famous theme
parks. The benefits include: _________________________________________________________________________________________________ Howdy Hey! Walt Disney World Young'uns Can Kick Up Their Heels at Goofy's Country Dancin' Jamboree Howdy, partners! Welcome to the world-famous Diamond Horseshoe Saloon at Walt Disney World Resort, where young'uns are in for a rootin' tootin' good time at Goofy's Country Dancin' Jamboree ! Several times a day, the legendary Magic Kingdom venue in Liberty Square plays host to a fun country music dance party starring Goofy, his pals Chip and Dale, plus the stars of Disney and Pixar's "Toy Story 2" -- Woody, Jessie and Bullseye. Young guests are encouraged to mosey on down to sing, play and learn how to country line-dance with some of their favorite Disney characters and Miss Sarah Jo, a true country sweetheart and Goofy's sassy sidekick. During each jamboree, Goofy and his pals will teach plenty of kids to kick up their heels and dance up a storm learning such classic country dances as "Boot Scootin' Boogie," "Electric Slide" and the special "Goofy Two-Step." Grown-ups seekin' a special keepsake can head upstairs to the saloon's balconies to shoot photos or video of the action down on the dance floor. During the holidays, a special version of the jamboree includes such classic songs as "Have a Holly Jolly Christmas" and "Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree." It's a rip-roarin' good time that'll leave everyone with a spring in their boots and smiles on their faces! _________________________________________________________________________________________________ AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS DVD RELEASE International superstar Jackie Chan
(“Shanghai Creston teen gets to meet Disney cast
Emily Wemhoff of Creston, Neb., volunteered
alongside the cast of Disney's "That's So Raven"
after being honored for her work with fire safety.
"Disney Adventures" magazine recognized the 15-year-old as a "Disney Adventures All-Star" for starting Project SAFE (Save A Friend Everyday) in 2002. Emily was one of 6,000 entries. As part of the award, she planted flowers in June at a senior care facility in Burbank, Calif. "We got to work side by side with the whole cast," she said. "They were all nice, but it was weird because you always see them on TV." She also won the all-expense-paid trip for two to Los Angeles, tickets to Disneyland and $1,000. She said she will give the money to Creston's fire department. Emily began Project SAFE after hearing about a Lincoln house fire. The fire prompted the Wemhoff family to test its smoke alarm. The alarm didn't work. Emily then called everyone in Creston listed in the phone book to make sure their fire alarms worked. It took a year to make the 217 calls. Using grant money, she put together gift bags with alarms for families who didn't have them. Now she is organizing a statewide day for families to practice fire-escape plans at their homes. |
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_____________________________________________________________________________ Wednesday July 28, 2004 ________________________________________________________________ Disney reduces summer blackout dates
The move could boost business during August,
traditionally the slowest month of the season
Walt Disney World is slashing the number of
blackout dates for its four-park seasonal-pass holders, a move
that could boost business as the region's tourism industry
heads into what is traditionally the slowest month of the
summer.
Starting Friday, pass holders will get an extra three weeks to visit Disney's theme parks this summer. With Disney's seasonal pass -- which for Florida residents is about two-thirds of the cost of a full-time annual pass -- visitors can't go to the parks during peak times such as summer, the December holidays and spring break. This year's summer-blackout period started June 12 and was scheduled to run until Aug. 19. But pass holders began receiving post cards in the mail this week telling them that the blackout would end Friday and offering them discounts at some Disney resorts. "Like magic, you've just scored three extra weeks!" the headline on the postcard shouts. Disney's offer comes as Central Florida's tourism industry prepares for August. Some local tourism experts point to a decline in the number of in-state visitors -- as well as those from other key markets in the South -- as children head back to school in early August. "August drops off when you compare it against June and July, but how much of that is in-state and how much of that is because of school starting is a tricky question," said Kelly Repass, research director with Orlando/Orange County Convention & Visitors Bureau. Disney officials could not be reached for comment. Students in the Northeast still have several weeks of vacation in front of them. School doesn't start until Sept. 2 in Pittsburgh and Sept. 13 in New York, for example. But in Florida and in key Southeast drive markets, summer is practically over. School begins next week in Seminole, Lake and Osceola counties. Orange, Volusia and Duval county students go back Aug. 9. Elsewhere in the South, Atlanta children are back in the classroom Aug. 9, and Charlotte, N.C., students start Aug. 16. So it makes sense for Disney to do something to entice in-state travelers -- who are most likely to hold seasonal passes -- to come to the parks and hopefully spend money on parking, food and trinkets, said Abe Pizam, a tourism professor at the University of Central Florida. "Maybe it's going to be a little soft and they want to encourage tourists, especially the Floridians, to come," Pizam said. Hotel occupancy -- one key measure of the health of the tourism industry -- often dips in August compared to other summer months. Last summer, for example, Central Florida hotels were an average 69 percent full in June, 72 percent in July and 64 percent in August, according to Smith Travel Research. Still, Pizam and other tourism officials insist that this summer is shaping up to be the strongest since the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, dampened the nation's enthusiasm for travel. Earlier this month, several low-cost airlines slashed late-summer and early-fall fares, a move that some travel experts said could provide a boost to Orlando's attractions and hotels. Officials at Universal Orlando said Islands of Adventure and Universal Studios have seen double-digit growth so far this summer compared with last year. "We've had a great summer," said Tom Schroeder, a Universal spokesman.
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The Walt Disney Company
Increases Presence in China with Sponsorship of Country's
First NBA Games
ESPN to Televise Two NBA
Preseason Games Live from China in October 2004
The Walt Disney Company will
further enhance the presence of Disney in China this Fall
through its relationship with the National Basketball
Association. Disney will sponsor the first-ever NBA games
staged in China when the Houston Rockets and the Sacramento
Kings play two preseason games originating from Shanghai and
Beijing in October 2004, and ESPN will televise these games.
This is part of Disney's overall effort to expand
internationally, particularly in the Asia Pacific region.
"Introducing the magic of
Disney to the world's most populated nation is a truly
thrilling and historic undertaking," said Disney CEO
Michael Eisner. "While this is an incredible opportunity
for our company and our shareholders, it is also an important
cultural milestone for the Chinese people, as we open the
doors to entirely new worlds of fantasy, imagination and
adventure."
"The combined strength of Disney, ESPN and the NBA makes for a sports-entertainment powerhouse, and we're pleased to bring them together for the first time ever in China," said Bob Iger, Disney president and COO. "Both Disney and the NBA offer experiences that transcend cultural divides, which is why these exciting sporting events are the ideal platform for introducing Disney's newest theme park, Hong Kong Disneyland." As part of the sponsorship, Hong Kong Disneyland will work with the NBA on a number of marketing activities to support the event. Hong Kong Disneyland also will have an in-stadium and courtside presence at the NBA games in China, as well as on NBA.com. The historic NBA games -- the first staged in China by an American professional sports league -- will be televised live on ESPN Thursday, Oct. 14, at 7:30 a.m. ET from Shanghai Stadium and late Saturday, Oct. 16, at midnight (Saturday at 9 p.m. PT) from Capital Stadium in Beijing. ESPN play-by-play commentator Mike Breen and analyst Bill Walton will call the action. NBA China Games 2004 are part of the league's continuing effort to support the development and growth of basketball in China. These games will mark the first time Yao Ming returns to his native country with his NBA team, the Houston Rockets. In addition to the domestic telecasts, ESPN International will distribute the games to 100 countries and territories in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand. Additional international distribution is pending. Each game will be reaired: the event in Shanghai will be seen on ESPN2 Thursday, Oct. 14, at 7:30 p.m. and the contest from Beijing will be aired by ESPN Sunday, Oct. 17, at 1 p.m. Disney's presence in China includes television programming, film, home entertainment products, live entertainment, consumer products, publishing, Internet properties, and in 2005/06 a theme park presence. The Hong Kong Disneyland project was announced in November 1999 as a venture between Disney and the Hong Kong SAR Government. With the completion of reclamation for Hong Kong Disneyland Phase I by the Hong Kong SAR Government in December 2002, Disney began construction in January 2003, with the project scheduled to open in late 2005/early 2006. The opening day program for Hong Kong Disneyland will include a theme park in the style of Disneyland Park and two hotels. The Phase I build-out includes a projected 10-million-annual-visitor theme park in the style of Disneyland Park, 2,100 hotel rooms, and an area for retail, dining and entertainment. The project is estimated to create 18,000 new jobs at opening (both Disney and other employment), growing to 36,000 once the first park reaches build-out. The Hong Kong SAR Government estimated that the first phase of the project will generate a present economic value of HK$148 billion (US$19 billion) in benefits to Hong Kong over a 40-year period. For more information, please refer to the Hong Kong Disneyland website at http://www.hongkongdisneyland.com/. Hong Kong Disneyland recently announced an agreement with Television Broadcasts Limited to launch a collaborative effort to bring the best of Disney's entertainment to the people of Hong Kong. Under the collaboration, TVB Jade will air three exciting new Disney TV programs -- "Hong Kong Disneyland Fun Time," "Hong Kong Disneyland Viva Club Disney" and "The Magical World of Disneyland," starting from July. The three series will bring Disney stories and magic to children and families in Hong Kong in the period leading up to the Park's opening. "The Magical World of Disneyland" will debut on Saturday, July 31, on TVB Jade, broadcasting classic Disney animated films. "Toy Story" will lead off, making it the first Disney animated movie ever to be aired on TVB Jade. Other upcoming movies will include "Dinosaur," "Monsters Inc.," and "Beauty and the Beast." Prior to the airing of each film, "Magical World of Disneyland" will also take viewers behind the scenes to experience the magic of Disneyland Park, and how Walt Disney's vision created a place that transports guests into a world of fantasy, imagination and adventure. In June 2004, ESPN announced plans to launch ESPN The Magazine in China later this year. Working with Vertex Group, ESPN will publish the Chinese-language edition monthly. The magazine will be distributed in Mainland China, including Beijing and Shanghai, and in Hong Kong. The Chinese edition of ESPN The Magazine will offer a mix of original content targeted to the interests of sports fans in China, as well as material from the U.S. edition of the magazine. Editorial is expected to include coverage of international, European, and Chinese soccer; international and Asian basketball leagues, as well as the NBA; professional golf; track and field events; auto racing; action sports; and more. The magazine will be printed in simplified Chinese characters. ESPN's joint venture with Star Sports in Asia, "ESPN STAR Sports" (ESS), continues to grow by providing first-class coverage of local and international sporting events most relevant to the markets it serves. Selected ESPN programming is distributed nationally in China via CCTV and other outlets and reaches an estimated 100 million households. ESPN is also available as a 24-hour network in Hong Kong and is transmitted in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English. Disney Consumer Products entered the China market 12 years ago and has now expanded its retail presence to more than 25 cities to reach 25 million consumers with more than 690 Disney corners in China selling Disney-branded merchandise. The business is growing at a rapid rate and sales in China reached approximately US$128 million at retail in 2003. Disney is one of the leading children's publishers in China and Mickey Mouse magazine is one of the most-read children's comic magazines in China. Mickey Mouse animation first appeared on CCTV in 1986. Its continuing popularity culminated in a unique relationship with CCTV1 to feature classic Disney animation, which returned to CCTV1 in 2001. Disney animation on CCTV1 recently obtained a 28% share in recent ratings, reaching more than 91.3 million children. Through close cooperation with CCTV-6, Disney has started to bring big blockbuster titles, including "102 Dalmatians," "Face Off," "Armageddon" and "Shanghai Noon" to Chinese viewers for the first time. Disney has launched numerous television ventures across the Asian continent and continues to be on expansion mode. Disney Channel (DC) is now available in 11 countries and regions across Asia, with Japan launched on Nov. 18, 2003, and Hong Kong added in April 2004. There are four separate video feeds/services in the region -- the DC Japan, DC Australian, DC Taiwan (Mandarin) and the DC Asia feed, which also has an English, Mandarin and Cantonese audio feed. In Korea, DC Asia also broadcasts with a Korean subtitling service. The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise which includes Walt Disney Parks and Resorts, The Walt Disney Studios, ABC, Inc., ESPN, Disney Channel, Disney Consumer Products, television and radio stations and Internet web sites. ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Animal Kingdom Rehabs scheduled
Some new Animal Kingdom rehabs currently scheduled. Adjust your trip planners now Pocahontas and Her Forest Friends will be closed for refurbishment Tuesday, September 7 through Saturday, September 11, reopening Sunday, September 12, 2004. Festival of the Lion King will be closed for refurbishment Thursday, September 16 through Saturday, September 18, reopening Sunday, September 19, 2004. The Boneyard will be closed for refurbishment Monday, September 20 through Thursday, October 14, reopening Friday, October 15, 2004 ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Disney & Co settle patent dispute over synchronized TV & Internet broadcast OpenTV Corp., one of the world's leading interactive television companies, and The Walt Disney Company, a diversified, international family entertainment and media enterprise, along with Disney subsidiaries, ABC and ESPN, have settled patent litigation brought by OpenTV's subsidiary, ACTV, against Disney, ABC and ESPN. The patents in suit relate to certain systems and methods for synchronizing Internet content with television programming, enabling television viewers to receive content pertaining to a broadcast program through the Internet. Kirkland & Ellis LLP partners Kenneth W. Starr and Daniel F. Attridge along with associate Gregory F. Corbett represented ACTV in this matter. As part of the settlement, OpenTV has granted Disney a non-exclusive, royalty-bearing license to use and to exploit the patents in suit. The Walt Disney Internet Group has also entered into negotiations for a non-exclusive, multi-year development agreement with OpenTV for the creation and marketing of enhanced television programming. "We are very pleased that we have been able to resolve this litigation with Disney, ABC and ESPN in a mutually beneficial manner," said Jim Chiddix, Chairman and CEO of OpenTV. "Disney's agreement to license these patents and our late stage discussions with Walt Disney Internet Group to work with us to develop enhanced TV programming provides a solid foundation on which we can create exciting television for viewers across the United States." About Kirkland & Ellis LLP Kirkland & Ellis LLP is a 1,000-attorney law firm representing global clients in complex litigation, corporate and tax, workout, insolvency and bankruptcy, dispute resolution and arbitration, and intellectual property and technology matters. The Firm has offices in Washington, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, New York and San Francisco. About OpenTV One of the world's leading interactive television companies, OpenTV provides a comprehensive suite of technology, content, games, tools, applications, and professional services that enables cable and satellite network operators in over 90 countries to deliver and manage iTV services on all major digital TV platforms. OpenTV has its Corporate Offices in San Francisco, California and regional offices in the United States, Europe and Asia/Pacific. For more information, please visit www.opentv.com. OpenTV and the OpenTV logo are trademarks or
registered trademarks of OpenTV, Inc. in the United States and
other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their
respective owners. All OpenTV products and services may not be
available in all geographic areas Disney CEO Michael Eisner and Bette Midler, founder of the New York Restoration Project (NYRP), planted a pin oak at 103rd St. and Park Ave. They said the new tree soon will be followed by a new neighborhood gathering spot. "It's going to be a world-class park," said Midler, who was joined by some 50 volunteers. "The people of this neighborhood deserve it, and it will help the block come alive." The 15,000-square-foot lot, nestled among train tracks and apartments, has held only graffiti and abandoned cars for years, neighbors said. Children in the area have no place to play, they added. "Now, kids play in the middle of the street," said neighborhood resident Kareem Omary, 27. "I hope kids can play here soon." The park will be finished this summer and will have a basketball court and playground, in addition to shaded benches and a vegetable garden. The project began in 2001, when Councilman Philip Reed (D-Manhattan) approached Midler's group, which maintains 55 city gardens. NYRP took over the lot from a defunct youth group, setting the stage for the overhaul that took root yesterday. "Before, we were the leader in things that make you sick," said Reed's chief of staff, Geoffrey Eaton. "Now, we can showcase something positive." Even Eisner was impressed with the visuals. "Real magic is being created as this park is being transformed from a source of blight to a thing of beauty," he said. ________________________________________________________________________________________________ FGCU will compete in Disney event The Florida Gulf Coast University men's basketball team is going to Disney World. The Eagles will begin the season with the Disney Division II Tip-off Tournament on Nov. 12-14 at the Milk House at Disney's Wide World of Sports in Lake Buena Vista. FGCU, 22-5 last season, will compete in the eight-team, three-game, full-bracket tourney. Other teams are the University of North Dakota, Barry, North Florida, Henderson State (Ark.), Clayton State (Ga.), Indiana (Pa.) University and Bentley College (Mass.) The Eagles graduated five players from last year's squad, including former Port Charlotte High standout Leighton Bowie, who played one season with FGCU after attending College of Charleston. Another Pirate will be on the roster this season: freshman guard Yavney Neptune, the reigning Herald-Tribune Player of the Year. ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Talks to bring Indians to Disney continue Osceola County officials want to make it clear they are ready to play ball when it comes to making the Cleveland Indians the county's third major-league spring-training team. Word surfaced last week that the club is considering a move from Winter Haven to Disney's Wide World of Sports by 2006. This week, county commissioners directed staff to meet with the team and Disney to see what needs to be done for the Indians to share Cracker Jack Stadium with the Atlanta Braves. The Houston Astros' spring home is Osceola County Stadium in Kissimmee. County Commissioner Paul Owen, who has been helping with a deal, said team officials prefer Disney over Fort Myers and Tucson, Ariz., where talks also have taken place. Owen expects Osceola to have a proposed deal, including whether the county will split the cost, to vote on in about a month. "These are serious discussions and it would mean a lot to Osceola County to make this work," Owen said. "I want to know what it will take to bring them here." Renovating the stadium for a second team to cover improvements such as new clubhouses and office space is expected to cost about $20 million. Feelers already had been put out to the Florida Sports Foundation, a semi-government agency that helps pay for sporting events that attract out-of-state visitors, to help with the cost. The foundation quashed the idea because the stadium is privately owned, spokesman Nick Gandy said. But if a city or county does the asking -- and is willing to split the cost -- the answer could be different. Indians spokesman Bob DiBiasio confirmed that talks have been under way. "[The talks] have been very cordial," he said. "We look forward to continuing those conversations." Disney spokeswoman Jackie Polak would say only that the company was ready to welcome back the Atlanta Braves in the coming years. A Braves spokesman had no comment. The Indians are looking for a new home because
of a strained relationship with Winter Haven officials, who want
to develop the lakefront Chain O'Lakes Park site. The team,
which has played in Polk County since 1993, has committed to
stay only through 2005. Finally Orange County Performing Arts Center has booked "On the Record," the staged compilation of Disney songs announced last week, as a replacement for the canceled "Wonderful Town" in the center's Broadway series, Sept. 6-18, 2005. ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Last shot at the 'Beast' North Carolina - Flat Rock Playhouse has just one more week of its smash musical "Disney's Beauty and the Beast." Showtimes today are at 2:15 and 8:15 p.m. at the theater on U.S. 25 and Little River Road in Flat Rock. But if you want to see it, better pick up that phone and call right this minute because it's been packing the house for virtually every performance. Call 693-0731. On the Net: www.flatrockplayhouse.org |
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Tuesday July 27, 2004 ________________________________________________________________ Affleck on mission for Disney's 'Men'
The Walt Disney Co. knows where Ben Affleck is
-- attached to the adventure feature "Nowhere Men."
The studio has acquired the pitch for high-six figures for
Peter and David Griffiths to pen.
Based on a treatment by Soren Garcia Rey, a longtime friend of Affleck, and Chris Angulo, the ensemble adventure is described as "Ocean's Eleven" meets "Men in Black." It revolves around a group of people, one of whom will be played by Affleck, who pursue covert missions, aided by their personal extraordinary gifts.
The Griffiths brothers pitched an expanded take
of the treatment to studio brass Nina Jacobson and Jason Reed
who bought it in the room. Affleck's partner at LivePlanet,
Sean Bailey, will produce, with other producing credits still
to be determined.
The writers and Affleck are repped by Endeavor. The scribes penned "Collateral Damage" and "The Hunted." The Disney deal is good news for Affleck, who recently exited the basketball drama "Glory Road." Before that, he was attached to star in the studio's "Ghosts of Girlfriends Past," but he fell out of that package as well. He next stars in the holiday comedy "Surviving Christmas."
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Series, Movies Slated at Disney Channel
Disney Channel has given the go-ahead to a new
live-action series and two movies, all scheduled to air in
2005.
The series "The Suite Life" stars identical twins Dylan and Cole Sprouse ("Friends") as 11-year-olds who get to live in a swanky Boston hotel. The films are "Buffalo Dreams," about boys living on a Navajo reservation, and "World's Greatest Kid Magician," which is set inside a reality TV ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Euro Disney says no debt deadline set for Prince al-Waleed on debt plan No deadline has yet been set for Prince al-Waleed bin Talal and other shareholders in the Euro Disney theme park near Paris to make a decision on the company's debt restructuring plan, spokesman Peter Boterman said on Monday. This Saturday, July 31, is the deadline for the company's creditor banks to make up their minds on proposals for revamping Euro Disney's debt of 2.4 billion euros (2.9 billion dollars) and on a plan for a capital increase of 250 million euros. Boterman said "I wouldn't say there is no urgency" for Prince al-Waleed to give his view, but he pointed out that the prince did not have to give his view by July 31. The first hurdle for the restructuring plan was to win backing from creditors and only then would a timetable be set for shareholder approval, he said. Boterman could not say when Euro Disney might make a statement about the progress of the debt proposals nor when the company might issue its sales figures for the third quarter to June, although analysts expect them this week. In mid-morning trading, the price of shares in Euro Disney was showing a fall of 0.01 euros or 3.03 percent to 0.32 euros amid investor anxiety about the debt restructuring and the sales figures, dealers said. The company, which attracted 12.4 million visitors to its Disney theme park east of Paris last year, suspended debt payments to core shareholder The Walt Disney Co in November and has said it cannot repay its overall debts unless shareholders back the refinancing plan. At French brokers Fideuram Wargny, analysts estimate that Euro Disney sales for the nine months to June will be flat at 749 million euros, with revenues from the theme parks showing a gain of 5.4 percent and turnover at its hotels down 4.3 percent to 294 million euros. The 250-million-euro capital increase project has been backed by The Walt Disney Co, which will put up 100 million euros in proportion to its 39.1-percent interest. Leading creditor Caisse des Depots et Consignations, CDC a quasi-state French investment group, is to provide another 75 million euros and other banks the remainder, according to reports. Prince al-Waleed rescued Euro Disney from an earlier financial crisis in 1994 by taking a major stake. However, the Saudi Arabian prince reduced his holding to 16.3 percent from 24.7 percent last year. His staff have said he was willing to talk about the latest debt problems, but have given no details of his attitude towards the plan. ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Fordyce Teachor Honored by Disney Pamela Caldwell Vaughan, a high school
biology and physical sciences teacher from Fordyce, has been
honored by the Walt Disney Company. ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Premiere of 'The Village' in
Prospect Park New York ________________________________________________________________________________________________ 'King Arthur' Fares Better Overseas With a batch of big-budget movies playing around the world, the foreign box office thrived last weekend despite a falloff in parts of Europe because of fine weather. Highlights of a busy weekend included the early foreign turnaround of Disney's domestic disappointment "King Arthur," the record-breaking top-of-the-market opening of Germany's homemade "(T)Raumschiff Surprise -- Periode 1" (Spaceship Surprise -- Period 1, the unofficial English translation), the ongoing approval of Michael Moore's "Fahrenheit 9/11" and the holdover power of "Spider-Man 2," "Shrek 2" and "Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban." Japan was the site of a blockbuster shootout, with "Azkaban" holding the No. 1 position for a fifth weekend with a $3.9 million haul in the face of openings from "King Arthur," "Shrek 2" and local film "Pocket Monsters '04," and the third weekend of "Spider-Man 2." A $3.1 million two-day weekend put "Arthur" in second place, followed by "Spider-Man 2," "Pocket Monsters" and "Shrek 2." "King Arthur," which will barely break $50 million in North America, came through with a $10.1 million weekend from 14 countries, copping the No. 1 position in six out of the seven markets (excluding Japan) in which it opened. South Korea provided $2.3 million, hailed as a Disney record in the market; Sweden reported in with $1.2 million, Norway with $470,000 and Taiwan $514,000. ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Moore trumpets earnings, takes shot at Eisner "Fahrenheit 9/11" director Michael Moore has responded to news out of Aspen that the CEO of The Walt Disney Co. enjoyed the divisive picture. The director held a conference call Sunday to promote the fact that "Fahrenheit 9/11" has now grossed more than $100 million since hitting the silver screen in June. He also took a shot at Disney boss Michael Eisner, who blocked Miramax Films from distributing the film. "I'm glad Mr. Eisner has said he liked the film, but I would think that his stockholders might wonder what his fiduciary responsibilities are to them at this point," entertainment magazine Variety.com quoted Moore as saying during the call, which was heard by about a dozen journalists. The director was reacting to a story published Saturday in the Aspen Daily News that reported Eisner acknowledged seeing "Fahrenheit 9/11" at FORTUNE magazine's fourth annual Brainstorm conference, co-hosted by The Aspen Institute. "The reason it is a hit is it's entertaining," Eisner said. "I thought it was like going to a rock concert. I loved it, but not in a political (sense)." Days before "Fahrenheit 9/11" premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, Moore revealed Miramax Films, a subsidiary of Disney, would not distribute it for political reasons. At the time, he suggested Disney was fearful of losing tax breaks in Florida because the film critiqued President Bush's response to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and motives for waging war in Iraq. President Bush's brother is the governor of Florida. Eisner has disputed the claim and explained at the Brainstorm conference that Disney's shareholders and customers would not want the company to release controversial political films. "We simply don't believe we should be a partisan company," said Eisner, who owns a home in Old Snowmass. "I have no regrets. I think we did the right thing." Miramax executives Bob and Harvey Weinstein eventually acquired the rights to "Fahrenheit 9/11" through a company it formed with Moore called Fellowship Adventure Group. Lions Gate Films and IFC Films are distributing the picture. Raking in more than $100 million, "Fahrenheit 9/11" is the most lucrative documentary ever made and it has made more money than any Disney film this year. ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Do lions' roars rattle the cheap seats? It's a given that “The Lion King” looks
great from the front of the beautifully refurbished Opera
House, especially from an aisle seat, where the life-size
puppets can easily be touched as they parade by. |
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Monday July 26, 2004 ________________________________________________________________________________________________
Disney
Experience Drives Katzenberg
When he ran the
studio of Walt Disney Co. in the mid-1990s,
Jeffrey Katzenberg lobbied tirelessly to become heir
apparent to Chief Executive Michael Eisner — prodding,
cajoling and pressuring his boss while toiling to turn out
box-office hits that included the animated blockbuster
"The Lion King."
Katzenberg wasn't rewarded with a promotion. Instead, Eisner unceremoniously fired him in 1994, putting out the word that his underling was an immature character with an oversized ego. The battle scars from those days may well prove the best insurance policy for investors in the publicly traded entertainment company that Katzenberg is now poised to run as CEO. "There's no question Jeffrey's got the motivation," said analyst Dennis McAlpine, principle of McAlpine Associates. "He wants to show Eisner what a mistake he made." Last week, Katzenberg and his DreamWorks Studios partners disclosed that they were preparing this fall to take public one piece of their enterprise — the computer-animation factory that is home to the biggest animated U.S. box-office hit of all time: "Shrek 2." Yet for all of Katzenberg's determination, the gambit may well be the diciest of his career. DreamWorks is angling to become the next Pixar Animation Studios, which enjoys an impressive $3.7-billion value on Wall Street, thanks to its flawless record in theaters. But while Pixar boasts a string of five straight hits — among them "Toy Story" and "Finding Nemo" — DreamWorks' record outside the "Shrek" franchise has been mediocre. "Jeffrey has very good judgment, he's a master communicator and relationship builder and is too smart to make rookie mistakes," said one Wall Street source who knows Katzenberg well. "But a pure-play movie company is a high-risk proposition." Certainly, others have found that to be true. Imagine Entertainment went public in 1986, only to be taken private again seven years later by its two principles, producer Brian Grazer and director Ron Howard. They created little value for investors or themselves, and failed in their attempts to expand beyond the volatile movie business. Even Pixar's stock has been on a roller coaster ride, in part because of the long fallow periods of more than a year between its movies, when the company must rely on DVD releases and its shallow library for revenue. DreamWorks cannot comment because of the quiet period required by regulators before a public offering. But analysts say the company is looking to level out the inherent volatility by pumping up the volume, issuing two computer-animated movies a year, even though few rivals have been able to pull off such a feat. Pixar, the gold standard for the genre, is still striving to raise its output to one movie every year but has struggled because of what it claims is a lack of talent. And with the major studios also looking to compete in computer animation, analysts say it will be hard for DreamWorks to churn out high-quality pictures as swiftly as it wants. Much of the pressure, meanwhile, will fall squarely on the 53-year-old Katzenberg, the creative force behind DreamWorks' animated fare. "Lots of DreamWorks' success will be tied to Jeffrey," McAlpine said. "I know he only sleeps two hours a night, but how far can you spread one guy?" There are bound to be other challenges, too. By issuing its stock to the public after producing the highest-grossing animated movie of all time ("Shrek 2" has taken in $429.5 million to date in the U.S.), DreamWorks' future films may disappoint investors whose expectations may have been unduly inflated. Indeed, the stock offering is expected to be held sometime around DreamWorks' next computer-animated release in October of "Shark Tale." Though the film is highly anticipated, it has little chance of generating "Shrek"-sized business, industry watchers say. Katzenberg also will have to figure out how to balance his time between the public company and the privately held parent, which he previously ran and that will distribute the animated movies and continue to produce live-action features. Katzenberg will control the public company along with his partner, David Geffen, while Steven Spielberg, their other partner, remains at the parent. "There is a built-in conflict and he'll have to sort it out in a way that is perceived to be fair to shareholders," the Wall Street source said. Then there's the issue of disclosure. Executives who have run private companies — as Katzenberg has done for the last decade, along with his partners — can find it jarring to suddenly face the scrutiny of the public market. In past interviews, Katzenberg has been vague about DreamWorks' financial strength, declining to disclose specific numbers while simply claiming that its movies have been profitable. In a filing last week with the Securities and Exchange Commission, DreamWorks revealed that its animation unit lost $189 million in 2003 and has been in the black in only two of the last five years. "When you're a public company, you have to live by the quarterly declaration of your actual performance," noted one veteran Hollywood executive. In fact, sources say, DreamWorks is largely resorting to a public offering because of the need to pay back one of its main investors, billionaire Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen. Under a 10-year agreement that expires next year, Allen has the right to force DreamWorks to buy out his $660-million stake if he has no other way to cash out. "This deadline has been looming for two years and has led to merger talks that never went anywhere because DreamWorks priced itself so aggressively," said one person familiar with the deal. "The IPO is a fail-safe because DreamWorks doesn't have the money to pay Paul off." Katzenberg, of course, has had more than a taste of life at the upper level of a public concern. As Disney's studio chief, he resuscitated the company's animation franchise, overseeing a run of profitable movies including "Beauty and the Beast," "Aladdin" and "The Lion King." Katzenberg also had early success in reviving Disney's live-action business with such films as "Good Morning Vietnam" and "Pretty Woman." "I think Jeffrey is one of the best … executives in the business and has all the skills and abilities to lead any company," said Dick Cook, who worked for Katzenberg at Disney and is now chairman of Disney Studios. But Katzenberg's relationship with Eisner soured when he unsuccessfully pressed for the No. 2 job at Disney after the company's president, Frank Wells, died in a helicopter crash. The animosities erupted into one of the biggest legal disputes in Hollywood after Katzenberg sued Disney in 1996, contending that the company breached his employment contract. During court testimony, Eisner sought to portray Katzenberg as overly demanding and greedy. At the same time, Eisner was confronted with disparaging statements that he had made about Katzenberg, including most infamously, "I hate the little midget." The case was settled in 1999, with Katzenberg walking away with an undisclosed sum estimated to be at least $250 million. Eisner painted a particularly unflattering portrait of his one-time protege in his autobiography, "Work in Progress." "My deepest concerns about Jeffrey had to do with the way he conducted himself, and the degree to which he focused on his own agenda rather than the company more broadly," Eisner wrote. The Disney board shared Eisner's assessment that Katzenberg was not ready to step into Frank Wells' shoes, said a source familiar with the directors' thinking at the time. The board's view was that, despite his undeniable creative talents, Katzenberg lacked both the experience and the temperament needed to run a multifaceted company such as Disney. Some who know Katzenberg say that he has softened his abrasive style, at least a little bit, over the last 10 years. "Since leaving Disney, he's made a concerted effort to realize he needs to conduct himself in a different way," said one industry executive. "At least he's changed the veneer." Ultimately, though, it will be Katzenberg's ability to make money — not friends — that determines how he fares as DreamWorks' CEO. To that end, he has at least some advantages over Pixar. A big one, industry executives say, is that DreamWorks owns 100% of the movies it makes. By contrast, Pixar's movies are, at least for now, 50% owned by Disney. That gives DreamWorks — and Katzenberg — a lot of upside potential and, some believe, a real shot at becoming a Wall Street darling. ________________________________________________________________
Andy Anderson retired in 1973 as a senior
master sergeant after a 26-year career in the Air Force.
Anderson and his wife, Doris, supplemented his pension with a
number of odd jobs, including managing an apartment complex
and working at a ski resort.
Now in their 70s and married for more than half a century, the Andersons could be living in quiet retirement. Instead, they have spent the past 10 winters working at Walt Disney World, returning to their home in Portage, Wis., for the warmer months. "We would have started earlier (at Disney) if we had known about it," says Doris Anderson. "It's so much fun to meet people from all walks of life, from different states, different countries. Every day is a different day." The Andersons, who live in a travel trailer near Davenport, Fla., from October through March, are among dozens of retired and middle-age couples who work at Disney World and other area theme parks during the winter as "seasonal casual" employees. For instance, SeaWorld currently has 80 seasonal employees among its 55-and-older staff, including 17 couples. The couples typically work two to four days a week, from November through April, with their schedules arranged so they can travel to and from the park together, says Dawn Garrett, SeaWorld's manager of employment. Universal Orlando does not keep tabs on the number of snowbird couples who work in its parks. However, of the roughly 500 retirees who work there during the winter and spring months, most are couples, spokesman Tom Shroder says. When it comes to recruiting seasonal employees, Universal advertises at assorted Central Florida retirement communities, while SeaWorld relies mostly on word of mouth. Disney, which would not reveal how many seasonal casual employees it has, recruits at recreational-vehicle conventions and advertises in RV publications. It also depends on people, such as Andy and Doris Anderson, to spread the word. The couple, honored as official "Casting Scouts" by Disney, estimates they have recruited more than a dozen couples. The Wisconsin snowbirds spend three days a week ferrying guests between Epcot and Disney-MGM Studios, stopping at assorted hotels along the way. On the Friendship boats, which hold up to 100 passengers, one of the Andersons pilots the launch while the other serves as a tour guide. "I generally drive over to the (MGM) Studios, and coming back she takes the wheel," explains Andy Anderson. "I don't want to lollygag around a pool or sit in a clubhouse playing pinochle. I like to stay busy. At my age, it keeps me young. It keeps me active. I really and truly love it." So do Jerry and Brenda Carter, who retired in 2001 from their respective jobs, rented out their house in Waynesboro, Va., and began to reside full-time in their 38-foot motor home. Since then, they have spent their summers working in national parks and their winters working at Disney. "We had been planning on doing this for years and years," says Brenda Carter, 59, a former beauty-shop owner. Her husband, three years older, was a tool-and-die maker. Die-hard Disney fans, "we wanted to know the inner workings of Disney, how they created the magic," Carter says. They landed what they consider a dream job at Disney. As "character greeters" they usher costumed characters in the Magic Kingdom and other Disney parks. "We're on the happy end of it. We get to experience smiling kids," Brenda Carter says. They rarely work together, but they're usually scheduled in the same park at the same time, so they can drive to and from Disney together. "If Jerry works an hour or two later than me, I just put on my street clothes and enjoy the park." The Carters typically work six-hour shifts, two or three days a week, although as casual employees, they can work as many as 60 hours in a busy holiday week and as few as zero hours during slow periods. No problem. "When we're off, we spend a lot of time in the park," Brenda Carter says. "I love to walk down Main Street, stop at the bakery, get a cup of coffee and watch people go by. It's a busman's holiday." Not all of Disney's seasonal casual employees are retirees. Paul and Sandy Bailey left their demanding jobs in Phoenix, Ariz., for a less-stressful lifestyle. "The pay was great, but we thought, 'There's got to be more to life,'" says Paul Bailey, who is 58. Since 2000, he and Sandy, 49, have lived, traveled and worked as "full-time RVers." They get by on their savings as well as earnings from jobs they find in RV campgrounds throughout the country. They spent last summer at a campground in Ocean City, Md., and came south for the winter. They didn't plan to work at Disney but jumped at the opportunity when they heard about it. Since November, they have worked together as counter workers in the park's quick-service restaurants, such as the Pinocchio Village Hause in Fantasyland. They would prefer to work outside - Bailey says he would love to drive the monorail or the train that circles the Magic Kingdom - but they're not complaining. They get to work together and meet lots of people. Bailey says the odds are "better than 50-50" they'll return next winter after spending the summer at a New Jersey campground. "It's a big country, and normally we wouldn't want to do the same gig twice," Bailey says. "But there are not that many places to go in the winter where it's warm and you're able to work." Unlike the Baileys, Lenny and Marilyn Erb have no doubts about where they will spend next winter. After taking their 38-foot Dutchstar motor home to either the Smoky Mountains or the Pacific Northwest this summer-they spent the past two summers in Maine-they have definite plans to return to Central Florida come October for their seventh consecutive season at Disney. "We dreamed our whole married life we'd work at Disney. We thought it was the happiest, cleanest place in the world," says Marilyn Erb, 59, who retired in 1998 after a 35-year career as a medical secretary in Lewiston, Pa. Her husband, 67, was a Ford technician and retired on the same day. Erb says their work as convention guides and special-event helpers gives them opportunities to learn, and keeps them active and together. They like the routine of working at Disney for eight months a year and traveling in the summer. At some point, however, the couple plans to live in Florida year-round. "Then," Marilyn Erb says, "we'll work for Disney full time." ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Help Countdown The Days Until Christmas At Disney World If you love Christmas and have been to the Downtown Disney Marketplace at Disney World you are sure to be familiar with Disney's Days of Christmas. The shop is filled with an amazing assortment of Disney Christmas items to make your Holiday Season a magical Disney one. Each day at the shop a Cast Member randomly chooses someone to change the numbers on the shops "Countdown to Christmas" Calendar to reveal the number of days remaining until the big day’s arrival. Barbara Tyink, the retail manger of the shop said, "The children are happy to help and are excited because there is one less day until Christmas." Tyink added, "The children are so happy, and they feel special when they get their certificate. It’s fun for everyone. It’s Christmas here all year long." So the next time you are at Disney World, go in and change the "Countdown to Christmas" calendar for them, or at least ask if no one else has already. ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Disney's Fairy Tale Wedding Engagement Packages At the Disneyland Resort This is a magical, evening to remember in Disneyland’s Magic Kingdom after hours. Upon arrival, the couple is invited by the Royal Coachmen to enjoy a fairy tale ride in Cinderella’s Crystal Coach along Main Street, U.S.A. As the coach approaches Sleeping Beauty Castle, Herald Trumpeters perform a welcoming fanfare. The couple is then escorted by the Fairy Godmother to Snow White’s Wishing Well where a romantic table is adorned with a bouquet of roses and a glass slipper containing the couple’s engagement rings sitting atop a velvet pillow. The evening is entranced by musical arrangements of a strolling violinist at which Mickey and Minnie Mouse arrive to lead the couple to the Castle Garden for a romantic, five-course dinner under the stars served by a Royal Butler. For a sweet ending, Cinderella’s Crystal Coach waits for the couple with champagne and chocolate-covered strawberries and a return down Main Street, U.S.A. A professional photographer is on hand to capture the evening’s magical moments. Sleeping Beauty’s Royal Engagement $7000.00 Includes all features of the Castle Garden Engagement Package (listed below) and adds a romantic picnic basket filled with wine and assorted cheeses accompanied by a romantic serenade of a solo violinist. The couple is then joined by Mickey and Minnie Mouse in formal attire who present them with a beautiful Sleeping Beauty Castle keepsake and a photographer to capture the event’s special moments. To conclude the evening, the couple is presented with a chilled bottle of champagne and chocolate covered strawberries to toast their new beginning. Prince Charming Engagement $4500.00 Offers a private, romantic setting in the specially-reserved Magic Kingdom Castle Garden, near Sleeping Beauty Castle during park hours. A bouquet of roses lies next to a bottle of champagne chilling in a silver bucket. The newly engaged couple is then awestruck with a private viewing of the night sky lighting up with the perfect magical backdrop: the Disney's Imagine ... "A Fantasy in the Sky" fireworks extravaganza! The couple is then presented with Mickey and Minnie Mouse Wedding ears and a keepsake glass slipper with a tray of chocolate truffles. Castle Garden Engagement $2000.00
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Expected weak
Euro Disney sales seen adding to debt deadline woes
Third quarter sales
figures expected this week for France's Euro Disney theme park
are expected to reveal slower growth in visitor spending and
add to its woes as it struggles to restructure its
2.4-billion-euro (2.9-billion-dollar) debt, analysts predict.
One week before the July 31 deadline for shareholder approval, Euro Disney's second biggest shareholder, Prince al-Waleed bin Talal, has yet to formally signal support for the debt rescheduling plan as well as a proposed capital increase of 250 million euros. The company suspended debt payments in November and has said it cannot repay its debt unless shareholders back the refinancing plan. "We expect a slowing in the rise in theme park revenues in the third quarter," Fideuram Wargny analyst Virginie Blin predicted. "We are very worried about attendances at the (theme) parks as first half figures gave no convincing signs of a very favourable impact from the new commercial and marketing policy," Blin said. Euro Disney's resort east of Paris is Europe's most popular tourist attraction but the 12.4 million visitors last year were nowhere near enough to put the company into profit, Blin said. Attendance levels are the beacon towards which all eyes will be turned, she said, adding that Euro Disney has been faced with an inadequate return on assets since the March 2002 opening of a second theme park, the Walt Disney Studios. "The current attendance level (12.4 million in 2003) is far below the profit threshold estimated at 16-17 million vistors," the Wargny analyst said. Wargny estimates Euro Disney sales for the nine months to June will be flat at 749 million euros, with revenues from the theme parks up 5.4 percent and turnover at its hotels down 4.3 percent at 294 million. For the six months to March, Euro Disney announced sales of 473.8 million euros, boosted by a six percent increase in theme park revenues. But average spending per visitor in that period rose largely because of a decision to scrap a reduction in entry tickets during the low season, Blin said. The 250-million-euro capital increase project has been backed by Euro Disney's core shareholder, The Walt Disney Company, which will put up 100 million euros in proportion to its 39.1 percent stake. Leading creditor Caisse des Depots et Consignations will provide another 75 million euros and other banks the remainder, according to reports. The rights issue will be carried out by March 31 next year if creditors back the scheme. In addition, the company would obtain a new 10-year 150-million-euro line of credit from Walt Disney, reducing to 100 million euros after five years. A Memorandum of Understanding agreed by Walt Disney and CDC provides for conversion of 290 million in payments due to Walt Disney into a minority equity position in a subsidiary that would hold substantially all of Euro Disney's assets and liabilities, the company said. Other proposed terms include deferral of interest and repayments on various debts, with payment of amounts owed to Walt Disney and CDC delayed until 2017 or later. Valerie Carriere of CAI Cheuvreux said the "first condition" for a successful rescheduling had been met, as agreement by lenders to renounce some of their financial obligations for a while is one of the requirements for starting the financial restructuring of the group. Andre Lacroix, Euro Disney's chief executive, said the restructuring was necessary "in order to enable us to execute our strategy of adding exciting new rides and attractions to fuel long-term growth." The latest crisis stems directly from the failure of Walt Disney Studios to attract enough extra visitors to the Marne-la-Valle resort to enable the company to pay off the 610-million-euro cost of building the second park. Euro Disney hoped it would add another four million people to the 12.2 million visiting Disneyland Paris every year. Instead, attendances edged up only to 13.1 million in 2002 and fell back to 12.4 million last year. Branded a "cultural Chernobyl" by French opponents when the original theme park opened in 1992, Euro Disney hit financial difficulties as early as 1994, when Alwaleed rescued Euro Disney by taking a major stake. But the Saudi prince reduced his holding to 16.3 percent from 24.7 last year. His staff said he was willing to talk about the latest debt problems but have given no details of his attitude towards the plan. For stock market investors, Euro Disney has long ceased to be a major attraction. ________________________________________________________________
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______________________________________________________________________________ Sunday July 18, 2004 _________________________________________________________________ Disney Hallmark Keepsake Ornaments 2004 Hallmark has released the 2004 Dream Book with pictures of all this years ornaments including the Disney ornaments pictured below. The Keepsake Ornament Premier was July 10th-11th with the release of Affection for Confections ($18.95 USA/$27.95 Canada) it's a two piece ornament one of Mickey and one of Minnie baking cookies (not pictured) During the Keepsake Ornament Debut October 2nd-3rd more than sixty ornaments will be released including Sneaking a Treat! ($18.95 USA/$27.95 Canada) and that ornament is Pluto sneaking some cookies of a table (not pictured)
Here are the Disney Ornaments for 2004:
The Sorcerer's Apprentice
Snow Sculpture
Pocket Watch
Welcome Sound (miniature)
World-Class Shoppers
Candy Cane Trio (miniature)
A Sticky Situation
100 Acre Express
Baby's First Christmas
The Winning Bounce
Wings For Eeyore
Friends Forever
Amigos Por Siempre (spanish)
Stocking Stuffers
Bambi and Friends
Oddball, Little Dipper, and Domino
Pinocchio Marionette (miniature)
Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Small World
Amazing Number 53
Mr. Incredible
Tinker Bell
Three Beautiful Princesses
Stanley and Dennis
Ariel
Buzz Lightyear and the Claw
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______________________________________________________________________________ Saturday July 17, 2004 __________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
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HAPPY 49TH BIRTHDAY DISNEYLAND |
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_________________________________________________________________ Disney hires California homeland security chief to lead company's security operations The Walt Disney Co. has hired California's director of homeland security to head the company's worldwide security operations. Ronald L. Iden, 57, will join Disney as a senior vice president in charge of security for the corporation's holdings, including theme parks, cruise ships and the ABC and ESPN television networks, company officials said. The company has reinforced security measures since the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and the discovery of al-Qaida documents that listed Disneyland as a potential terrorism target. Iden will be responsible for creating "an even higher level of security standards for Disney guests and employees," ABC President Robert A. Iger said. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed Iden in January to oversee homeland security in California. In a July 9 letter to Schwarzenegger, Iden proposed a departure date of Aug. 1 but said he will stay until a successor is named. A 25-year-FBI veteran, Iden headed the
bureau's Los Angeles division for two years after working as a
special agent responsible for investigations involving
terrorism, foreign counterintelligence, financial crimes and
civil-rights violations.
Theme parks allow visitors to cut to front of the line With beepers, special tickets and hand stamps, amusement parks these days are actually encouraging visitors to cut in line. Front of the line | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
