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Sea Rex 3D "Best Earth Sciences Program": 2011 Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival

Judith Rubin
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JACKSON HOLE, Wyo., PARIS and LONDON /PRNewswire/ — 3D Entertainment Distribution is pleased to announce that its latest IMAX theatre release, Sea Rex 3D: Journey to a Prehistoric World, won the award for Best Earth Sciences Program yesterday at the prestigious 2011 Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival. The biennial 6-day conference considered by many to be the “Oscars of Wildlife Filmmaking” is an unmatched international industry event drawing international leaders in science, conservation, broadcasting and media.

Sea Rex 3D sheds light on the extraordinary, larger-than-life and little-known prehistoric marine reptiles. With their daunting size and natural ability for predation, the T. Rex of the seas were already ruling the ancient underwater world 20 million years before dinosaurs roamed the earth. Audiences explore a little-known universe populated by fascinating creatures such as the ferocious Liopleurodon, powerful Mosasaurus, long-necked Elasmosaurus, “big-eyed” Ophthalmosaurus and gigantic 75-ft long Shonisaurus.

“This award is a tremendous recognition for Sea Rex 3D and a wonderful accolade from industry peers at this world-renowned film festival,” said Francois Mantello, Chairman and CEO of 3D Entertainment Distribution. “Sea Rex 3D is an awe-inspiring science-based adventure for all ages thanks to its innovative story, the stunning quality of its stereography and its state-of-the-art computer-generated images and visual effects in 3D.”

Writer, director and producer Pascal Vuong was pleased to accept the award in person at the Jackson Hole Wildlife Film Festival and expressed, “It was already an honor to have our work considered amongst some of the greatest documentary makers in the world, but my talented team and I were ecstatic yesterday to win the Best Earth Sciences Program prize with this film. It is also a sign of very exciting times that Sea Rex 3D continues to encounter increasing popularity around the world, and is frequently lauded by film critics as ‘making education cool’.”

Sea Rex 3D was first launched theatrically in the US in June 2010 and benefited from a staggered domestic distribution pattern before expanding to international territories. It has been sold in 29 countries to date, including key markets such as Canada, China, Mexico, France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Denmark, Poland, Russia, Japan, Taiwan and Australia. Sea Rex 3D has already grossed USD 11 million at the box office, 5 million of which was generated in the US domestic market. 81 IMAX theatre engagements have now been signed for the film.

The film will debut on Blu-Ray™ in 2D and 3D in the US on November 15, 2011 and later on in other countries under an agreement concluded with Universal Pictures International Entertainment.

Sea Rex 3D was produced by N3D Land Productions and Mantello Brothers Productions and was four years in the making with a USD 5 million budget. The film is written and directed by Pascal Vuong and Ronan Chapalain and features an original soundtrack by Franck Marchal. The film’s producers are Catherine and Pascal Vuong, and Francois Mantello. A top-notch team of scientists was assembled to guide the filmmakers: Dr. Nathalie Bardet of the CNRS/National Museum of Natural History in Paris (France); Dr. Olivier Rieppel, Rowe Family Curator at the Field Museum in Chicago (IL); Dr. Ryosuke Motani, Professor at the University of California, Davis (CA); Dr. Zulma Gasparini, Paleontologist at Argentina’s La Plata Museum and CONICET; and Dr. Benjamin Kear, Paleontologist at Melbourne’s La Trobe University (Australia).

Sea Rex 3D is rated Universal by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), the equivalent of a General Audience rating from the Motion Picture Association of America.

The official website is http://www.SeaRex-theFilm.com

About 3D Entertainment Distribution
Founded in 2001, 3D Entertainment Distribution is the marketing and theatrical sales arm of 3D Entertainment Films and 3D Entertainment USA. Affiliates of 3D Entertainment Films Holdings, the companies are focused on the production, postproduction, sales and theatrical distribution of innovative 3D films for IMAX® theatres and Digital 3D cinemas worldwide. The cornerstone of the Company’s film catalogue is a unique underwater film trilogy presented by Jean-Michel Cousteau that has grossed over USD 83 million at the theatrical box office. Last year, the Company announced a new line-up of 3D film projects that includes “Air Racers 3D” (February 2012), “Kenya 3D: Animal Kingdom” (February 2013), “Time: The 4th Dimension” (2013), starring Christopher Lloyd and Deep Roy, and “Patagonia 3D: Into the Wild” (2013). The all-media rights to 3D Entertainment Films’ first feature-length film, “Ocean World 3D,” were acquired by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures in North America and Wild Bunch for overseas territories in 2009. The Company maintains offices in London (UK), Los Angeles (California) and Paris (France). For more information, please visit http://www.3DEfilms.com

Wacky World Studios creates new themed environment for Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Judith Rubin
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(PRNewsFoto/Wacky World Studios)

OLDSMAR, Florida, USA /PRNewswire/ — At Clearwater Marine Aquarium, home of Winter the Dolphin, the star of the hit family motion picture Dolphin Tale, guests now get the red carpet treatment with a newly installed themed environment created by Wacky World Studios.

“We were anticipating an increase in visitors with the excitement around the film release,” said Krista Rosado, the aquarium’s Director of Marketing and Advertising, “and wanted to have a more dramatic entry into some of our most popular areas to create a sense of anticipation.”

The environments created by Wacky World Studios include an exciting new entrance facade for the aquarium’s Atlantis Theater and a realistic, ferocious shark cutout that frames the video presentation in the underwater Shark Encounter exhibit.

Bruce Barry, President of Wacky World Studios, said the film made it the perfect time to add some new elements. “The entrance to the theater was almost invisible and the aquarium wanted something that would attract a visitor’s attention. The Shark Encounter just needed to have some drama added to enhance the experience.”

The Clearwater Marine Aquarium had its first room open to the public in 1981, and today is an internationally recognized center for animal care, public education, and marine research. Its most famous resident is Winter, the dolphin in the film Dolphin Tale, which has grossed more than $35 million.

About Wacky World Studios
Based in Oldsmar, Florida in a 25,000 square foot facility, Wacky World is a full-service thematic and design studio. The studio works with clients covering a variety of industries – including hospitals, amusement parks, and churches – creating, designing, building, and installing turn-key, award-winning themed environments. Led by founder Bruce Barry, Wacky World’s dedicated team of more than 30 artists, craftsmen, sculptors, painters, carpenters, designers, and technicians .

John Murdy welcomes public to Alice Cooper’s "Nightmare" at Universal Studios Hollywood HHN (video)

Judith Rubin
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"World’s largest animatronic performance" – The Crane Dance at Resorts World Sentosa (video)

Judith Rubin
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Designed by Emmy Award winner Jeremy Railton, Crane Dance is the spectacular new attraction at Resorts World Sentosa in Singapore. The crane is recognized as a universal symbol of longevity, abundance and good luck. Crane Dance celebrates these magnificent birds with an animatronic performance that references the traditional Crane movements in a jubilant dance — a sweet and magical love story inspired by an archetypal myth found in the folk lore of many cultures: the power of love to infuse life into an inanimate form. A defining feature of Crane Dance is its imposing scale: at full extension the cranes are as tall as a 10-story building, making them the world’s largest animatronics. Designer Jeremy Railton’s company is Entertainment Design Co. Also on the team: Bob Chambers & Edward Marks with It’s Alive Co.

Universal Studios Hollywood shares video from HHN Eyegore Awards

Judith Rubin
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KidZania names Mark Snell new Chief Experience Officer and Philip Sandhaus VP Global Business

Judith Rubin
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Image captured from kidzania.com

SAN JOSE, Calif. USA, Oct. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — KidZania announced the appointment of Mark Snell to the newly created position of Chief Experience Officer, and Philip Sandhaus to the new position of Vice President, Global Business. These new hires bring a wealth of experience in entertainment, creative strategy, and global brand management to guide KidZania as the company prepares to launch a completely new park experience in Mexico and expand into several new territories, including the U.S.

As Chief Experience Officer, Snell leads KidZania’s “Ministry of Culture” focused on creating superior guest experiences through entertaining and engaging content, themes, architecture, programming, and operations. As Vice President, Global Business, Sandhaus is focused on identifying the best new global expansion markets for KidZania, from analyzing and securing new locations to negotiating with prospective franchise partners.

“At KidZania, we have two important goals: to always provide a rich and engaging experience for our young visitors and to ensure that experience is available to more children around the world,” says Xavier Lopez Ancona, President, KidZania. “The creative energy and expertise Mark brings to KidZania will provide children with an unrivaled experience that combines both fun and learning. With Philip’s extensive career in international business development for global entertainment brands, he provides a unique perspective on matching KidZania with the best markets and business partners.”

Snell brings a wealth of experience managing and leading world-class creative solutions, through creative planning, direction, and design for some of the largest global brands. Prior to joining KidZania, Snell co-founded and served as Chief Experience Officer for Carbonated Creative, a creative design and marketing agency. He also served as Chief Creative Director and Marketing Director for the educational software and solutions company, Six Red Marbles, and as Vice President, Senior Creative Director for leading marketing agency, Jack Morton Worldwide. He’s also held a number of design and creative positions with top architecture and design firms. Snell holds a Master of Fine Arts degree in Design from Virginia Commonwealth University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Design from Auburn University. He is a Professional Affiliate of the AIA, Boston Society of Architects and a member of the Association of Briefing Program Managers. Snell is based in the KidZania Mexico headquarters.

From entertainment to consumer goods to sports, Sandhaus has had an extensive career managing, marketing and building trusted global brands. Most recently, he served as a business development consultant for Frank Sinatra Enterprises and Membrain, where he drove business development and marketing strategies for clients such as McDonalds and Hasbro. He has an extensive background in the music industry, including serving as a strategic marketing consultant for the Beatles’ Apple Corps and Capitol-EMI Records on the re-mastered catalogue and MTV Rock Band Video game, and as a senior partner on the management team for the Rolling Stones’ Forty Licks CD launch, directing the strategic partnerships with major media and sports brands. Prior to that, he served as head of Strategic Marketing for EMI-Capitol Entertainment group, as manager of David Bowie’s creative affairs at Isolar Management, and as head of product marketing at Columbia/CBS Records marketing and developing artists such as Bob Dylan, Miles Davis and Elvis Costello. He has a business degree from Cornell University. Sandhaus is based in Los Angeles.

About KidZania:
Much more than a children’s museum or theme park, KidZania takes interactive entertainment and learning to an entirely new level by combining role playing with real life in a kid-sized environment. KidZania creates a kid-centric city experience for 4- to 14-year olds. From arriving at the airport, to visiting a city center to exploring the city streets complete with vehicles and real-world establishments, kids experience the real world in a safe and contained 75,000 square foot kid-sized city. At KidZania, kids are in control and choose a “real world” job, earn and manage “kidZo” currency, and purchase goods and services.

KidZania, Inc., headquartered in Mexico, is privately held. This award-winning concept is recognized globally for its unique blend of entertainment and education for children. The first KidZania opened in Mexico City in 1999. There are seven other locations including, Monterrey, Mexico; Tokyo; Jakarta; Osaka; Lisbon; Dubai; and Seoul. To date, more than 18 million kids and parents have visited the parks globally. The trajectory continues with 13 parks in development, including a new park in Mexico City where kids can drive from point-to-point. KidZania will come to the U.S. in 2013.

For more information about KidZania and the park locations, visit www.KidZania.com.

WWA takes over New Orleans

Martin Palicki
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The annual World Waterpark Association trade show has arrived
In New Orleans! The Wednesday evening social kicked off with a trade show parade and bead toss!

Disney Fantasyland time-lapse video shared by WDI

Judith Rubin
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AMWA, EBU, SMPTE Announce Groundbreaking Collaboration To Drive Future Media Standards & Interoperability Across Digital Media Ecosystem

Judith Rubin
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Plans to formalize AMWA/EBU Framework for Interoperable Media (FIMS) effort also unveiled

Atlanta, GA; Geneva, Switzerland; White Plains, New York – With the digital media ecosystem remaking business models and putting a greater premium on operational efficiency than ever, the industry’s leading advocates for user-requirements identification, business-driven solutions, and worldwide standards – the Advanced Media Workflow Association (AMWA), the European Broadcast Union (EBU), and the Society of Motion Picture & Television Engineers (SMPTE) – announced that they will work together to accelerate their respective efforts at driving interoperability and delivering efficient media workflows.

Senior managers from the three bodies plan to meet regularly to exchange information and identify areas of potential cooperation. They will also collect user input in a more formalized way – and launch a pilot initiative to gather specific input regarding media workflows and media services. They will then share that information with their members and with industry leaders.

“This unprecedented cooperative effort is striking because of the critical and unique influence each group has on the processes and tools that are rapidly remaking the digital media ecosystem,” said Pete Ludé, SMPTE president. “As more media organizations rely on rapidly developed software-based tools, it is particularly important that standards-development processes meet these fast-paced needs.”

As a user organization, the EBU identifies common operational requirements and has a keen interest in harmonized industry approaches. The AMWA develops practical, business-driven solutions that meet user requirements using existing standards wherever possible. SMPTE is the worldwide leader in standards and education for the communications, media, and entertainment industries.

“It just makes sense that these three organizations would work closely together,” said AMWA Executive Director Brad Gilmer. “AMWA is business driven, and we appreciate the user input we receive from the EBU and others – in fact, we cannot achieve our goals without it. We also value the critical due-process review that SMPTE offers.”

“As a user organization we play an important role in formulating our requirements, but ultimately we want to see them implemented in commercial products and backed by standards, so the cooperation with the AMWA and SMPTE is vital to reach our goals,” said EBU Technical Director Lieven Vermaele.

“SMPTE relies on user input to ensure that the standards we develop reflect what the industry needs,” said Dr. Hans Hoffmann, SMPTE Vice President of Engineering. “The cooperation between these three organizations is a milestone in driving the adoption of efficient architectures for future media production and distribution systems.”

FIMS Task Force Output Moving Toward Formalization
The EBU and the AMWA also announced today that the output of the Framework for Interoperable Media Service (FIMS) Joint Task Force will be submitted to SMPTE after formalization by AMWA and EBU. The organizations formed the task force in 2009 to address system integration issues in modern and complex TV production environments and recently demonstrated some early capabilities this effort at IBC 2011.

About the AMWA
The Advanced Media Workflow Association is a user-focused industry body dedicated to the promotion, development and adoption of open, accessible standards and specifications relating to file-based workflows (including AAF, MXF and other formats), Service Oriented Architectures, and Application Specifications as they apply to the areas of content creation, production, post-production, rich media authoring, archiving and distribution. AMWA members include Adobe Systems, Ad-ID, Avid Technology, BBC, Cinegy, Harmonic, IBM, PBS, and Turner Broadcasting. Visit the AMWA at www.amwa.tv.

About the EBU
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is the largest association of national broadcasters in the world (75 active Members in 56 countries, 43 associate Members in 25 countries further afield). The EBU helps public service broadcasters to deliver unique high quality programming to their audiences. It offers Members technical, operational and legal services, and coordinates a growing supply of quality content for radio, television and new platforms. It provides Members with information and analysis on media trends, and training designed to meet their needs. The EBU works to secure recognition of the crucial role of public service broadcasters in the digital audiovisual landscape. Visit the EBU at: www.ebu.ch.

Royal Caribbean International Debuts Menus by James Beard Award-Winning Chef Michael Schwartz Aboard Oasis of the Seas

Judith Rubin
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Click here to read more about Oasis of the Seas

MIAMI, USA Oct. 4, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — Royal Caribbean International today announced their selection of James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Schwartz to create new menus for its upscale dining venue, 150 Central Park, on Port Everglades, Fla., based cruise ship Oasis of the Seas. Known for his commitment to sustainable and seasonal food sourcing at Miami’s Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, Schwartz will offer his expertise as the cruise line selects and integrates local produce farmers into 150 Central Park’s supply chain.

“Royal Caribbean continually looks to deliver the Royal Advantage to its guests through diverse and innovative dining concepts and the freshest possible ingredients,” said Frank Weber, vice president Food and Beverage, Royal Caribbean International. “By joining forces with chef Michael Schwartz at Oasis of the Seas’ 150 Central Park, we are gaining a respected hometown partner who will help us to navigate and embrace the local agricultural community by hand-picking the most appropriate local small farms to supply ingredients for our premiere dining venue.”

First introduced on Oasis, 150 Central Park is the centerpiece of the lush Central Park neighborhood with its 12,000 plants and trees and its variety of specialty dining and retail venues such as the Coach store. Guests dining at the upscale and intimate restaurant enjoy a seasonal tasting menu and customized wine pairings delivering an exclusive culinary experience comparable to the finest land-based restaurants. Opened daily for dinner, it features two rotating six-course menus per voyage, which will now incorporate produce from small Florida farms like SWANK Specialty Produce in Loxahatchee.

Chef Schwartz will create new dishes, as well as seasoned favorites from his restaurants in Miami and Grand Cayman and debut cookbook, MICHAEL’S GENUINE FOOD: Down-to-Earth Cooking for People Who Love to Eat, such as Jumbo Lump Crab Cake with Carrot Butter Sauce and Mahogany Black Cod with Whipped Parsnip, Baby Pak Choy and Mustard Sauce, and Slow Roasted and Grilled Harris Ranch Beef Short Rib with Roasted Cippolini Onions, Swank Farms Cress and Romesco Sauce.

“I am thrilled for the opportunity to collaborate with such an acclaimed global brand as Royal Caribbean and to work with them to further the important sustainable philosophies I care so much about,” says chef Michael Schwartz. “It is so exciting for me to bring some of my favorite farmers’ local products onboard for the first time, adding to the already impressive food and beverage offerings available to guests on Oasis of the Seas.”

Chef Schwartz has hand-picked Chef de Cuisine James Seyba, from Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink, to oversee the execution of the new menu and to engage with guests daily. Before launching the new menus at 150 Central Park, Seyba will learn the ropes of what it takes to be a successful chef at sea, including Royal Caribbean’s cutting edge quality controls and provisioning measures. On hand to share her expertise will be Chef de Cuisine Molly Brandt who, at the helm of the 150 Central Park restaurant on Oasis sister ship, Allure of the Seas, was herself a first-time cruise chef after winning the coveted job in a chef search with the Culinary Institute of America.

Completing the gastronomic experience at 150 Central Park is the most dynamic wine pairing program of any Royal Caribbean restaurant, created with the direction of with Michael’s Genuine Sommelier Eric Larkee.

150 Central Park by Michael Schwartz on Oasis will launch October 29, 2011, with new pairs of menus rolling out every three months during the year-long collaboration.

Launched in December 2009, Oasis of the Seas is the largest and most revolutionary cruise ship in the world. An architectural marvel at sea, she spans 16 decks, encompasses 220,000 gross registered tons, carries 5,400 guests at double occupancy, and features 2,700 staterooms. Oasis of the Seas was the first ship to tout the cruise line’s new neighborhood concept of seven distinct themed areas, which includes Central Park, Boardwalk, the Royal Promenade, the Pool and Sports Zone, Vitality at Sea Spa and Fitness Center, Entertainment Place and Youth Zone. The ship sails from her home port of Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

About Royal Caribbean International
Royal Caribbean International is a global cruise brand with 22 ships currently in service. The line also offers unique cruise tour land packages in Alaska, Canada, Dubai, Europe, and Australia and New Zealand. Visit www.royalcaribbean.com.

About Chef Michael Schwartz
According to Michael Schwartz (47), the secret to good food is… good food. Honored with the prestigious James Beard Foundation Award for Best Chef: South in 2010, Schwartz is recognized by his peers and the diners that flock to his restaurants for his fresh, simple and pure cuisine incorporating responsibly- and locally-sourced seasonal ingredients. Schwartz is the chef/owner of Michael’s Genuine Food & Drink in Miami and Grand Cayman, and the recently opened Harry’s Pizzeria, a casual neighborhood joint near his flagship in Miami’s Design District. His first book, MICHAEL’S GENUINE FOOD: Down-to-Earth Cooking for People Who Love to Eat (Clarkson Potter; $35,) became available online and in bookstores nationwide in February 2011. Visit www.genuinehospitalitygroup.com.

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