HOLLYWOOD MOVES EAST AS SUPERSTARS & TOP MOVIE INDUSTRY EXECS GLAMORIZE THE STRIP
In sheer star-power, our city takes on the role of an Oscars host this week as dozens of Tinseltown tycoons and celluloid stars turn Vegas into Hollywood east. It’s the annual film industry exhibitors convention—ShoWest—at the Bally’s and Paris resort hotels, and this year it’s truly become a star-studded celebration. Over 5,000 of the world’s top motion-picture exhibitors will be present from 50 different countries. Luxe Life will report all the daily happenings each day this week with our intrepid camera-ace, Scott Doctor for all the candid-camera cameos. As the screen’s superstars, platinum producers, darling directors and movie moguls roar into our valley today, look for our McCarran Airport to become a parking lot of private jets! Luxe Life has the full rundown of the next three days of extraordinary mega-power events:
TUESDAY:
*It all starts with acclaimed Dreamworks head honcho, Jeffrey Katzenberg, giving the keynote address to the nation’s exhibition community at the opening day ceremonies. Luxe Life has learned in advance that Katzenberg will reveal ongoing developments in 3D technology, opportunities for the exhibition community and his company’s animation’s plans to utilize 3D technology for all of its animated releases starting next year with Monsters vs. Aliens on March 27, 2009, the first-ever film produced in “Ultimate 3-D” technology.
*Superstar Robert Redford will receive a special ShoWest Visionary award at the opening day luncheon for his incredible contributions to the independent film business with his Sundance Film festival and Sundance cable channel. Prior to the luncheon, one of this year’s major success stories out of the Sundance Film Festival, Hamlet 2, will be shown to conventioneers.
“If one man single-handedly has opened the eyes of world moviegoers to independent films it has been Robert Redford,” I was told.
*Seven-time Emmy nominee Helen Hunt will be presented with a “Breakthrough Director” award at the opening luncheon with its focus on the importance of specialty independent films and distribution companies in today’s marketplace. It’s expected that Caesars Palace headliner Bette Midler will attend to support the actress, who just directed her in their new movie Then She Found Me, which will be released April 25. Bette plays a local TV talk-show host who is located as the birthmother of Helen Hunt, who has just lost her adoptive mom. Helen, who first found fame on TV’s Mad About You before racking up movie successes, will premiere her directing debut in Then She Found Me later that evening to convention delegates.
*David Mamet, a prize-winning playwright and two-time Oscar nominee director, will also receive the ShoWest Award of Excellence in Filmmaking at the luncheon because of his Specialty and Independent films over the years.
“His films represent a high standard of artistic dignity deserving of such recognition,” said Mitch Neuhauser, co-managing director of the event. Mamet, who is known for House of Games, The Winslow Boy and the Spanish Prisoner amongst numerous others, has his newest, Red Belt coming out later this year.
*Producer directors Ang Lee and James Schamus, who teamed for such mega box-office hits as Brokeback Mountain and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, will be awarded ShoWest’s first Freedom of Expression award at the luncheon. TV’s Six Feet Under writer director Alan Ball will be awarded “Groundbreaking Filmmaker of the Year” for his debut Towelhead movie being released in August. His 1999 American Beauty won Best Original Screenplay at the Academy Awards.
WEDNESDAY:
*Acclaimed actor Kevin Spacey leads his all-star cast of Laurence Fishburne, Kate Bosworth and Jim Sturgess for the world premiere screening of the new 21 movie. Scenes for the story of how a math-class of MIT computer students took our Vegas casinos for millions were shot in and around Vegas, including at the new Planet Hollywood Resort where the premiere will be held. The stars will walk the red carpet and after the premiere will all attend a party at the new Privé nightclub there. The film will open nationwide on Friday March 28, giving Vegas a two-week jump on the rest of the country. A special ShoWest Ensemble award, will be presented to Kevin Spacey’s accomplished cast on Thursday at the convention’s closing ceremonies.
THURSDAY:
*Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Anne Hathaway, Emile Hirsch and Christina Ricci and directors George Lucas, Christopher Nolan and Peter Segal will all participate in this afternoon’s Warner Bros. The Big Picture ’08. ShoWest attendees will also be treated to a sneak peek at all of the stars’ Warner Bros. Pictures’ summer releases.
*Sarah Jessica Parker, who stars in the new movie version of her HBO cable TV hit Sex in the City will receive the inaugural Vanguard Award.
*Abigail Breslin will be awarded “Female Star of Tomorrow,” for her upcoming movie Nims Island and her co-star Jodie Foster will lead the applause.
*Brendan Fraser will receive the Distinguished Decade of Achievement in Film award
*Robert Downey Jr. will be named Male Star of the Year; Anne Hathaway Female Star of the Year; Seth Rogan Comedy Star of the Year, Emile Hirsch Male Star of Tomorrow; Charles Roven Producer of the Year, and Christopher Nolan Director of the Year.
Check back each day this week to Luxe Life for the up-to-the-minute photo reports from ShoWest and our up-close interviews with the screen superstars.