Columbia Pictures, Revolution Studios and Regal CineMedia Team Up to Create the First Theatre-Based Virtual Premiere Event for Maid In Manhattan
PRNewswire
CULVER CITY, Calif.
12/05/2002
Columbia Pictures, Revolution Studios, and Regal CineMedia ("RCM"), the media subsidiary of Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC), have joined together to create a unique, one-of-a-kind virtual event that for the first time will allow theatre audiences to experience the thrills and excitement of a movie premiere gala, including the star-studded, red carpet entrances and interviews with popular Hollywood celebrities. On Sunday, December 8th, beginning at 5:30 PM (ET) theatre audiences in 13 cities* across the country will witness live coverage from the Maid in Manhattan premiere event in New York prior to viewing an advance screening of the film.
Maid in Manhattan stars Jennifer Lopez and Ralph Fiennes and is directed by Wayne Wang. The film will be released nationally by Columbia Pictures on December 13th.
Using satellite technology and RCM's new Digital Content Network, Columbia Pictures and Revolution Studios will broadcast live coverage from the red carpet in New York to audiences at Regal Cinemas, United Artists Theatres and Edwards Theatres in select cities. These audiences will consist of radio promotion-winners attending special screenings of the film. This is the first time a theatre will receive a live broadcast from the red carpet of a film's world premiere event.
In addition to broadcasting in theatres, the live satellite feed of the opening event and preliminary interviews will also be web cast over the Internet on the Maid in Manhattan website, www.maidinmanhattan.com . The feed is also being made available via satellite to network stations and local O&O's for news programming use.
"We are delighted to be working with Regal CineMedia to make this groundbreaking event possible," said Terry Curtin, head of marketing and distribution for Revolution Studios. "This exciting technology allows us to provide moviegoers with a one-of-a-kind experience. It is wonderful to be able to bring the magic of Hollywood live to our loyal and supportive audiences."
"By partnering with Regal CineMedia, we now have the capability to extend the excitement from the red carpet to movie fans virtually everywhere," said Geoffrey Ammer, President of Marketing for Columbia Pictures. "This satellite broadcast offers movie fans added value to their movie-going experience by sharing the Maid in Manhattan World Premiere event in New York with so many communities simultaneously."
"We are excited to be a part of this first-of-its-kind event," said Ray Nutt, Executive Vice President, Business Development, Regal CineMedia. "By teaming with Columbia Pictures and Revolution Studios to develop this virtual premiere, we are leveraging our new Digital Content Network (DCN) and bringing our audiences closer to the movie industry's premiere festivities than they have ever been before."
*Live satellite premiere event locations are:
Metro Area/Theatre Address
City, State
San Francisco:
Emery Bay Stadium 10 6330 Christie Ave.
Emeryville, CA
Los Angeles:
Irvine Spectrum 21 65 Fortune Drive
Irvine, CA
Chicago:
Lincolnshire Stadium 20 300 Parkway Dr.
Lincolnshire, IL
Knoxville:
Downtown West Cinema 8 1640 Downtown West Blvd.
Knoxville, TN
Dallas:
MacArthur Stadium 16 8505 Walton Blvd.
Irving, TX
Sacramento:
Olympus Pointe 12 520 N. Sunrise Ave.
Roseville, CA
San Diego:
UA Horton Plaza 14 475 Horton Plaza
San Diego, CA
Denver:
Pavilions 15 500 16th St., #310
Denver, CO
Atlanta:
Perimeter Pointe 10 1155 Mt. Vernon Highway
Atlanta, GA
Indianapolis:
Circle Center 9 49 West Maryland St.
Indianapolis, IN
Baltimore:
UA Snowden Square Stadium 14 9161 Commerce Center Dr.
Columbia, MD
Minneapolis:
Woodbury 10 Theatres 1470 Queens Dr.
Woodbury, MN
Philadelphia:
Riverview Plaza 17 1400 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd.
Philadelphia, PA
Maid in Manhattan is the story of Marisa Ventura (Lopez), a single mother born and bred in the boroughs of New York City who works as a maid in a first- class Manhattan hotel. By a twist of fate and mistaken identity, Marisa meets Christopher Marshall (Fiennes), a handsome heir to a political dynasty who believes that she is a guest at the hotel. Destiny throws the unlikely pair together for one night, but when Marisa's true identity is revealed, the two find that they are worlds apart, even though the distance separating them is just a subway ride between Manhattan and the Bronx.
Revolution Studios was formed by Joe Roth in May 2000 to independently produce and finance films in partnership with Sony Pictures, Starz Encore Group and Fox Entertainment Group. In 2003, Revolution Studios will release 10 films, starring such notable talent as Julia Roberts, Kirsten Dunst, Julia Stiles, Harrison Ford, Josh Hartnett, Adam Sandler, Jack Nicholson, Bruce Willis, Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lopez, Eddie Murphy, Cuba Gooding Jr. and Ed Harris.
Columbia Pictures, part of the Columbia TriStar Motion Picture Group, is a Sony Pictures Entertainment company. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a division of Sony Corporation of America (SCA), a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; digital content creation and distribution; worldwide channel investments; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of filmed entertainment in 67 countries. Sony Pictures Entertainment can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.sonypictures.com/ .
Regal CineMedia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Regal Entertainment Group focusing on the expansion and development of additional revenue and cash flow, utilizing the Company's assets, customer bases and employees, while at the same time enhancing the movie-going experience. The Regal CineMedia marketing, sales and advertising group develops in-theatre advertising and promotions and manages the Digital Content Network ("DCN"), a first-of-its-kind digital projection and communications network expected to roll out nationally to 43 of the top 52 markets and over 4,500 screens by December 2003. Regal CineMedia also operates a leading digital out-of-home media company with video screens in fast service restaurants, as well as other divisions that focus on meetings and special productions in a theatre environment, including the presentation of live sports and entertainment events.
Regal Entertainment Group (NYSE: RGC) is the largest motion picture exhibitor in the world. The Company's theatre circuit, comprising Regal Cinemas, United Artists Theatres and Edwards Theatres, operates 5,711 screens in 530 locations in 36 states. The geographically diverse circuit represents over 20% of domestic box office receipts and includes theatres in 41 of the top 50 U.S. Designated Market Areas as well as prime locations in growing suburban markets. The size, reach and quality of REG's theatre circuit provides patrons with a convenient and exceptional movie-going experience.
CONTACTS: Suzanne Fritz Revolution Studios (310) 255-7254 suzannef@revolutionstudios.com Steve Elzer Columbia Pictures (310) 244-7142 steve_elzer@spe.sony.com Lauren Leff Regal CineMedia Corporation 212-931-8107 lauren.leff@regalcinemedia.com
SOURCE: Columbia Pictures; Revolution Studios; Regal CineMedia
CONTACT: Suzanne Fritz of Revolution Studios, +1-310-255-7254,
suzannef@revolutionstudios.com; or Steve Elzer of Columbia Pictures,
+1-310-244-7142, steve_elzer@spe.sony.com; or Lauren Leff of Regal CineMedia
Corporation, +1-212-931-8107, lauren.leff@regalcinemedia.com
Web site: http://www.sonypictures.com/
http://www.maidinmanhattan.com/