All About David James Elliott

Terror Trap on DVD

2011-06-20T20:57:00.002-04:00

DVD release date according to Amazon.com is September 27, 2011. You can pre-order the copy on Amazon.com for 29.95 US dollars. Sounds like a great horror flick!

The Futon's First Look: "Good Christian Belles" (ABC)

2011-06-11T15:42:00.001-04:00

Please note: As a courtesy, please do not reproduce these comments to newsgroups, forums or other online places. Links only please. (This according to the author of the article - JD)

http://www.thefutoncritic.com/reviews/2011/06/10/the-futons-first-look-good-christian-belles-abc-10212/20110610_goodchristianbelles/

"Jag" Star David James Elliott on Fox News Edge - NWAHomePage.com

2011-04-15T17:10:00.000-04:00

"Jag" Star David James Elliott on Fox News Edge - NWAHomePage.com

CSI: NY episode this Friday

2011-03-29T19:31:00.002-04:00

The episode will feature the return of David James Elliott of JAG fame as FBI Agent Russ Josephson, Jo Danville's ex-husband, and will feature Taylor Kinney, who played werewolf Mason on The Vampire Diaries, as the killer.

"Identity Crisis" is going to put Jo in a tough place. However, the promo doesn't show her dealing with her daughter—just Ellie witnessing the crime.

The promo begins with Ellie watching as an old man is killed in the 34th St - Penn Station subway station. Flack calls it "the most interesting crime scene you'll go to all week." There's a twist—the victim isn't an old man with a beard. The victim is a woman wearing a mask, and Jo calls her "a master of disguise." However, they can't find any evidence that suggests that she was out there running cons. Mac is the one to realize that they need to figure out why the killer stabbed the victim, thinking she was an old man. He's the one who's upset someone enough to kill.

Here is the link to the page from the Google alert... the promo vid can be found there:

http://www.examiner.com/primetime-tv-in-new-york/david-james-elliott-returns-to-csi-ny-identity-crisis

Truth Be Told Set to Air On FOX

2011-03-16T19:02:00.000-04:00

Truth Be Told Set to Air On FOX

"Truth Be Told," a new made-for-TV family movie, starring Candace Cameron Bure, David James Elliott and Ronny Cox will premiere on Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 8/7c on FOX.

"Truth Be Told" plays upon the old adage, that "honesty is the best policy," and according to Colorado's leading marriage counselor, Annie Morgan (Candace Cameron Bure, "Full House" and "Make It Or Break It"), honesty is the key to successful long-term relationships. Ironically, Annie has never been married and doesn't always follow her own advice.

Through a misunderstanding, Annie receives an invitation for her and her spouse to join media mogul Terrance Bishop (Ronny Cox, "Stargate SG-1" and "Beverly Hills Cop"), at his New Mexico ranch to discuss her dream job: hosting a radio advice program. Fearful that being single will ruin her chance of a lifetime, Annie conspires with Mark Crane (David James Elliott, "JAG" and "Scoundrels"), an old college friend, recent widower, and father of two teenagers, to pose as a married couple for the weekend. A series of comical misunderstandings color the trip, leaving Annie emotionally involved with Mark's family and battling with her own conscience. As the entertaining and touching story unfolds, Annie begins to realize that the truth may have its consequences, but ultimately it's what opens our hearts and brings out the best in each other.

After spending several years as the face of family entertainment on "Full House," Candace Cameron Bure continues her commitment to quality programming with the role of Annie Morgan.

"What I really like about 'Truth Be Told' is that many of us can relate to Annie at some point in our lives and have ultimately learned that telling the truth is always the best choice," stated Candace Cameron Bure. "This is a touching movie that the entire family will enjoy and will be a great life lesson for kids of all ages."

David James Elliott, best known as Captain Harmon 'Harm' Rabb, Jr. on the hit TV series "JAG," co-stars as Mark Crane, an old college friend of Annie's who is the widowed father of two teenagers. Ronny Cox, who starred as Vice President Robert Kinsey in "Stargate SG-1," and alongside Eddie Murphy in "Beverly Hills Cop," plays media mogul Terrance Bishop. Belita Moreno, best known for her role as George Lopez's mother on "George Lopez," is his wife, Sophia Bishop. The roles of Kenny and Zoe Crane are played by Christopher Brochu and Emma Gould, respectively.

The movie also features a musical performance by 19 Recordings/RCA Nashville recording artist and "American Idol" Season Eight finalist, Danny Gokey, and a cameo appearance by Super Bowl XXXIV MVP Award Winner and likely Hall of Fame quarterback, Kurt Warner.

For more information visit www.familymovienight.com or like us on Facebook www.facebook.com/familymovienight.

"Truth Be Told" is produced by P&G Productions. For the last 75 years, P&G Productions, a division of The Procter & Gamble Company (NYSE: PG), has been at the forefront of creating powerful, emotional relationships between consumers and brands. Through the development of original content, PGP has utilized the most advanced technology of each era to generate innovative properties, ranging from soap operas on the radio and early television to award shows to fast-growing web ventures. Current PGP properties include "The People's Choice Awards" and Family Movie Night films like "Secrets of the Mountain, "The Jensen Project," "A Walk in My Shoes," and "Change of Plans." PGP also owns original content websites such as Petside.com, DinnerTool.com, LifeGoesStrong.com and ManoftheHouse.com.

Read more: http://tv.broadwayworld.com/article/Truth_Be_Told_Set_to_Air_On_FOX_20110316#ixzz1Go4MgCFf

DJE to star as male lead in new show

2011-03-16T18:57:00.002-04:00

GOOD CHRISTIAN BITCHES (ABC) - David James Elliott ("Scoundrels") is set to play husband to Kristin Chenoweth in the drama pilot, about Amanda Vaughn (Leslie Bibb), a widowed mother of two who - to get a fresh start - moves back to the affluent Dallas neighborhood where she grew up. He'll play oilman Ripp Cockburn, who used to know Amanda's late husband. Annie Potts, Jennifer Aspen, Marisol Nichols and Miriam Shor also star in the hour, from ABC Studios, director Alan Poul and writer Robert Harling.

THE RAINBOW TRIBE movie now available online

2011-02-05T18:59:00.002-05:00

Sorry I didn't post this sooner, been dealing with some health issues. Just had an email from Dan Frisch that the movie is available online as a DVD at http://www.therainbowtribemovie.com/ I hope everyone buys a copy as it is a fantastic movie!!!!

Thanks again to Dan for letting me know! BUY BUY BUY!!!! You won't be sorry!!!

Today's News: Our TakeKeck's Exclusives: JAG's David James Elliott Returns to CBS on CSI: NY

2010-10-15T18:51:00.001-04:00

Oct 15, 2010 03:49 PM ET
by William Keck

One of CBS' biggest stars is coming back to the network! David James Elliott, who starred as Cmdr. Harmon "Harm" Rabb, Jr. on JAG from 1995-2005, has been cast on CSI: NY. And it's an awesome role.

David will play Russ Josephson, the ex-husband of Sela Ward's new investigator, Jo Danville. (Expect Jo to crack a joke about being Jo Josephson.) David will debut in an early January episode he is now shooting, and producers tell me there's a possibility he could come back for more.

Russ is not only Jo's ex, he's also the father of their college-aged son, Tyler, and an FBI agent. According to insiders, "their relationship is civil, but Jo still fights his obvious desire to reignite the past." Sounds juicy!

Had this in a Google alert! Awesome!!!! Link to original post:
http://www.talentandproduction.com/news/Kecks-Exclusives-JAGs-David-James-Elliott-Returns-to-CBS-on-CSI-NY/19062110/

DJE's Birthday

2010-09-21T16:06:00.001-04:00

Wanted to wish you a Happy Birthday and may you have many more! I hope it's a wonderful day with friends and family!

Scoundrels: Off the Schedule; Has the ABC TV Show Been Cancelled?

2010-08-17T20:51:00.002-04:00

Had this in a Google alert:

Fans of ABC’s summer drama, Scoundrels, may have noticed that the series isn’t on the schedule any longer. Has the show been cancelled?

Scoundrels revolves around the West family, a clan that’s had many run-ins with the law. Dad (David James Elliott) has been sent to prison and his wife (Virginia Madsen) is determined that she and their kids not follow him. The TV show’s cast also includes Leven Rambin, Vanessa Marano, Carlos Bernard, and Patrick Flueger (in a dual role).

The series debuted on June 20th to a disappointing 1.3 rating in the 18-49 demographic and 5.23 million viewers. In week two, viewership dropped to a 1.0 in the demo and 3.66 million viewers. The numbers got even worse in subsequent weeks. It hit a demo low 0.6 and, the finale attracted the fewest number of total viewers, just 2.73 million. Those are some terrible numbers for a major network, even for the summer months.

Only eight episodes of Scoundrels were produced and, to ABC’s credit, they aired them all — despite the low ratings. Unfortunately, the network has little reason to want any more. So, no, ABC has not officially cancelled Scoundrels but, it is highly unlikely that they’ll order a second season.

Link to original page:
http://tvseriesfinale.com/tv-show/scoundrels-not-canceled-17419/
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Unfortunately I've been unable to watch the show, but I have it on good authority that David James Elliott played an excellent Wolf. The onscreen vibes between him and Virginia Madsen were fantastic. I hope they do another show together.

USA Today interview with Mr. Elliott

2010-06-24T01:36:00.000-04:00

http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid42806360001?bctid=96946807001

'Terror Trap' trailer - DJE movie

2010-03-06T00:12:00.001-05:00

http://www.americanworldpictures.com/index.htm

Click on 'Terror Trap' to see the trailer for DJE's new movie! Looks awesome!!!

Thanks to a friend for passing this on!

'The Guard' to air on ION Television in USA

2010-02-16T14:38:00.000-05:00

ION Television Heats up Primetime with New Original Coast Guard Search and Rescue Drama "The Guard"

Weekly Series Premieres Saturday, March 13 with Back-to-Back Episodes at 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM, ET

Series Guest Stars David James Elliot ("JAG")

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- "Keeping your head above water" takes on new meaning in ION Television's new original primetime high-action marine rescue series, "The Guard." The series premieres for the first time to the U.S. audience with a two-hour block of back-to-back episodes on Saturday, March 13, 2010 at 9:00 PM and 10:00 PM, ET. Following its debut, "The Guard" will continue to air on ION Television in the same two-hour time period with back-to-back episodes each Saturday night. "The Guard" centers around four members of the Canadian Coast Guard Search and Rescue Team who knowingly place themselves at risk everyday in order to save lives.

"Coming off the critically-acclaimed success of our first original drama 'Durham County,' we are sure viewers will enjoy the sexy, adrenaline-filled search and rescue drama 'The Guard.'"

"We are excited to add 'The Guard' to our lineup of original programming," said Kristine Hunsinger, Senior Vice President, Planning, Scheduling and Acquisitions, ION Media Networks. "Coming off the critically-acclaimed success of our first original drama 'Durham County,' we are sure viewers will enjoy the sexy, adrenaline-filled search and rescue drama 'The Guard.'"

Produced by Halifax Film and Brightlight Pictures, "The Guard" is a one-hour character-driven drama series that focuses on the lives of an imperfect, offbeat and sometimes, difficult rescue team. Led by Duty Captain Miro Da Silva (Steve Bacic), these heroic Coast Guard rescue specialists put their lives in danger as they dangle from helicopters and plunge into seas in order to rescue those in peril. Off-duty, rough waters still plague the team as they deal with their own personal issues. Da Silva is having financial troubles, Rescue Specialist Jeremy Guilbaut (Andrew Vanderlee) is suffering from emotional problems after a rescue gone awry, Rescue Specialist Carly Greig (Zoie Palmer) is an alcoholic with commitment issues and Rescue Specialist Laura Nelson (Claudette Fink) lives with David Nelson (David James Elliott from "JAG") who suffers from MS.

Writers for "The Guard" include Raymond Storey, Peter Smith, James Taylor Phillips, Abigail Kinch, Michael MacLennan and Karen X. Tulchinsky. Charles Bishop, Stephen Hegyes, Raymond Storey and Shawn Williamson serve as executive producers. The series has received 3 Gemini Award nominations and 11 Leo Award nominations including two wins: Best Supporting Female Performance for Julie Patzwald and Best Supporting Female Performance for Eve Harlow.

ION Television acquired the exclusive U.S. rights to the award-winning original TV series, "The Guard" from Lions gate. In addition, the network secured all U.S. television, digital media rights, internet streaming and video-on-demand rights.

About ION Television

ION Television (www.iontelevision.com) is a general entertainment network which reaches over 97 million U.S. television households via its nationwide broadcast television, cable and satellite distribution systems. Launched in 2006, ION Television features popular TV series and movies from the award-winning libraries of CBS Television, NBC Universal, Twentieth Television and Warner Bros. Parent company, ION Media Networks, Inc., owns and operates the nation's largest broadcast television station group. Using its digital multicasting capability, ION Media Networks has launched the digital TV brands qubo, a channel for children focusing on literacy and values, and ION Life, a channel dedicated to active living and personal growth. It also has launched Open Mobile Ventures Corporation (OMVION), a business unit focused on the research and development of portable, mobile and out-of-home transmission technology using over-the-air digital television spectrum. For more information, visit www.ionmedia.com.

About Halifax Film, a DHX Media company

Halifax Film, co-founded by Michael Donovan and Charles Bishop develops and produces original film and television programming. Halifax Film manages and co-ordinates all aspects of a program's life, including developing original ideas; purchasing literary rights; arranging production financing; carrying out production and post-production; and exploiting worldwide distribution rights. Halifax Film is a subsidiary of DHX Media Ltd., a leading international producer and distributor of television programming and interactive content with an emphasis on children, family and youth markets.

About Brightlight Pictures Inc.

Founded in 2001 by producing partners Stephen Hegyes and Shawn Williamson, Brightlight Pictures is a feature film and television production company that develops, finances and produces feature film and television projects for the international marketplace. Brightlight has successfully completed thirty feature film and television projects in the past six years, working with such stars as Justin Timberlake, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Morgan Freeman, Al Pacino, Anne Hathaway, Kevin Spacey, Elijah Wood, Jaime King, Mandy Moore and Nicholas Cage among others. Brightlight is committed to developing diverse high-quality feature film and television projects with solid commercial appeal.

Season 10 of 'JAG'

2009-11-18T18:31:00.002-05:00

Again, thanks to a good friend...

To be released February 9, 2010... whoo hoo!!!

Link to article:

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/JAG-Season-10/12989

David James Elliott to star in 'Confined'

2009-11-18T18:29:00.001-05:00

Langley Times
The X factor at work

Kraig X. Wenman has sold 21 feature film scripts, one being filmed in Langley right now. But the Poppy grad has got his finger on the pulse of many projects.
John GORDON/Langley Times

Published: November 17, 2009 2:00 PM
Updated: November 17, 2009 2:59 PM

They say you can’t believe everything you read.

That’s especially true if you’ve read that White Rock screenwriter Kraig Wenman has mixed it up in the ring with one of the most famous (and notorious) heavyweight boxers of our time.

“No, I’ve never sparred with Mike Tyson,” says Wenman with a laugh, dismissing the “fact” included in his profile on the Internet Movie Data Base.

That little gem was, apparently, posted in his IMDB bio by a friend, just to prove it could be done.

The rest is all fact. Well, mostly.

“My age is wrong. That’s a typo,” said Wenman, who celebrated some birthday or other on Nov. 6, though he declined to say which one, exactly.

But, yes, it’s true he was a sponsored skateboarder when he was 11, and yes, he makes a point of naming characters in his screenplays after famous musicians.

There’s Edward Vetter, for example, just different enough from the moniker of Peal Jam’s lead singer to avoid a lawsuit.

“I also use a lot of street names from Langley. That’s something to look out for.”

Then there’s the matter of his own name.

Kraig X. Wenman as it sometimes appears in credits is not, surprisingly, the name he was given at birth.

He added the X himself as a way to draw attention to himself in a business where one hopeful writer’s work blurs into the next as it piles up on a producer’s desks.

It seems to have worked for Wenman, who enrolled in film school in 1999 after graduating from D.W. Poppy Secondary in Langley.

He has now sold 21 feature film scripts, including one that is currently being shot in Willoughby.

It stars David James Elliot of JAG fame and Emma Caufield, who played Anya on T.V.’s Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Written in the span of a week back in August, the feature, titled Confined, is about a woman who, after moving to a new neighbourhood begins to fear she is going crazy.

Or, then again, it may be that her next door neighbour is up to no good.

It’s the typical mother-in-jeopardy scenario, says the writer.

It’s a story line that spans the thriller genre from the small, independent films he writes, all the way up to big-budget Hollywood fare — think Jodie Foster in Panic Room or, well, Jodie Foster in Flightplan.

With such titles as Nowhere to Hide and Fireball under his belt (both of which air regularly on U.S. cable channels) Wenman is the first to admit it’s formulaic work.

It always comes down to a woman in her mid 30s, he explained.

She’s a mother and a professional woman who’s grown apart from her kids, and she suddenly finds herself in danger.

He likens the ability to dash off screenplays to being a weight lifter — if you exercise certain muscles, they’re bound to get stronger.

Eventually, he’d like to flex a different set of muscles by climbing into a director’s chair.

“I want to write and direct, and really focus on storytelling,” he said.

“Writing is giving me a director’s sense of where the camera goes.”

The father of two has also penned a novel, titled Jack Scratch, which he’s hoping to see turned into a television series — or, at the very least, a pilot.

The story uses voice over to combine a certain darkness with dry wit, he said.

It’s about a hitman who is hired to kill musicians to up their value.

“It’s Dexter meets Thank You For Smoking.”

Wenman is also in the process of writing a comedy for the Hallmark Channel.

Where the genre would, not long ago, have been outside his comfort zone, Wenman said parenthood has given him plenty of material. This one will have broad appeal, appropriate for families to sit down together and watch, he said.

“Then I have Jack Scratch at the opposite end, just to keep things balanced.”

Link to original article:
http://www.bclocalnews.com/surrey_area/langleytimes/entertainment/70317852.html

Thanks to my friend getting a Google alert I never got! Whoo hooooo!!!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVID JAMES ELLIOTT!!!!!

2009-09-20T23:42:00.003-04:00

Here's wishing you all the best today and always. Hope it is a wonderful birthday!!!

"Man of the House" Press Release

2009-09-15T14:30:00.000-04:00

From the Futon Critic website:

DAVID JAMES ELLIOTT ("JAG") STARS IN "MAN OF THE HOUSE," A HALLMARK CHANNEL ORIGINAL MOVIE WHICH HAS BEGUN PRODUCTION FOR PREMIERE IN 2010

David James Elliott ("JAG") stars in "Man of the House," a Hallmark Channel Original Movie about a workaholic ad agency executive who has lost his wife and is then fired from his job. He soon becomes a full-time Mr. Mom and begins to realize what he has been missing by not balancing his career and family life.

"Man of the House" has begun production and will premiere on Hallmark Channel in 2010.

Ben Landis (Elliott) is shocked when his boss gives him the news that his job as an advertising executive is over because he makes too much money and can be easily replaced by three younger guys for the same amount. He shares the news with his two children, Lindsay (Madison Davenport), age 12, and Dylan (Will Shadley), age 8, who have many questions. Then he fires his live-in housekeeper who he can no longer afford to keep. Now in the role of Mr. Mom, he immediately begins making a mess of everything the kitchen, dropping the kids off at school, managing Dylan's asthma attack and making cupcakes for the school bake sale.

But Ben keeps at it and soon gets the hang of things and even finds a supporter in Miss Jensen (Sharon Case, "The Young and the Restless"), Dylan's teacher, with whom there's an instant attraction. However, when he's offered a wonderful job at an ad agency in another city, Ben must decide what matters most in life, and what will be the best thing for him and his family.

"Man of the House" is being produced by Larry Levinson Productions. Larry Levinson is the executive producer. Brian Gordon and Jim Wilberger and Lincoln are the producers. Bradford May is directing from a script written by Adam Rockoff.

Hallmark Channel, owned and operated by Crown Media Holdings, Inc., is a 24-hour basic cable network that provides a diverse slate of high-quality entertainment programming to a national audience of 88 million subscribers. The top-tier program service is distributed through more than 5,450 cable systems and communities as well as direct-to-home satellite services across the country. Hallmark Channel consistently ranks among the highest-rated cable networks and is the nation's leading network in providing quality family programming. Hallmark Channel's sibling network is Hallmark Movie Channel which focuses on the greatest family movies of all time.

NEW MOVIE FOR DJE!!!!

2009-09-14T23:24:00.002-04:00

Had this in a Google alert from the Hollywood Reporter:

Actor moves in to Hallmark's 'House'
David James Elliott to star in original movie
By Nellie Andreeva

Sept 14, 2009, 11:00 PM ET
David James Elliott has been named "Man of the House" for Hallmark Channel.

The former "JAG" star has been tapped for the lead role in an original movie about a workaholic ad- agency executive who loses his wife and is fired. He soon becomes a full-time Mr. Mom to his two kids and gets help from his son's teacher (Sharon Case).

"House," from Larry Levinson Prods., has begun filming for a 2010 premiere. Levinson is the executive producer.

Elliott is repped by Paradigm and McGowan Management.
-------------------------------------------------------
Can't wait to hear more about it!!!

"BRIO PRESS AMONG SPONSORS FOR THE 10TH ANNUAL CELEBRITY GOLF TOURNAMENT"

2009-08-27T17:45:00.001-04:00

The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundaton gift bag will include BRIO PRESS' Top Chef "Fan Favorite" Fabio Viviani cookbook, Cafe Firenze Cookbook08.27.2009 – Minneapolis, MN-Golfers at the annual Emmy celebrity golf tournament will get a taste of Florence, Italy with BRIO PRESS’ Café Firenze Cookbook. The publisher is donating Viviani’s book to the tournament gift bag. The book pairs martinis with 24 original Italian recipes.

The tournament is on August 31 in Toluca Lake, CA. Golf tournament proceeds directly benefit the Television Academy Foundation’s educational and preservation programs such as the student internship program, College TV Awards, the Fred Rogers Memorial Scholarships and the Archive of American Television.

Scheduled to play are Bailey Chase (Saving Grave), Eric Close (Without a Trace), David James Elliott (The Storm), Jerry Ferrara (Entourage), Carmine Giovinazzo (CSI:NY), Jon Hamm (Mad Men), Richard Karn (Home Improvement), Kevin McKidd (Grey’s Anatomy), Kevin Nealon (Weeds), Jeffrey Nordling (24), Ron Perlman (Sons of Anarchy), James Remar (Dexter),and Grant Show (Private Practice).

“We are honored to be a sponsor for this event,” said BRIO PRESS co-owner William Reynolds. “I hope all participants enjoy the book.”

Log on to www.BrioBooks.com for more information.

About BRIO PRESS
BRIO PRESS is a division of BRIO that publishes books from authors whose works engender cultural legacies. When we choose a title to publish, we strike a balance between the benefits of traditional publishing and the self-started, self-reliant spirit of independent authorship. BRIO PRESS transcends barriers that often encumber great authors and stories, and delivers credibility, validity and most importantly, visibility to remarkable authors and their fine works.
BRIO PRESS was established in spring 2009 by its parent company: BRIO Print, LLC. www.briobooks.com

Had this in a Google alert. Do good!!!

The Deadbolt Interview - James Van Der Beek and David James Elliott Talk Up a 'Storm' for New Miniseries

2009-07-27T18:32:00.001-04:00

The Deadbolt Interview - James Van Der Beek and David James Elliott Talk Up a 'Storm' for New Miniseries

Shared via AddThis

Interview for 'The Storm'

2009-07-22T23:06:00.000-04:00

Here is the link to the article:

http://www.examiner.com/x-3767-Celebrity-QA-Examiner~y2009m7d22-James-Van-Der-Beek-and-David-James-Elliott-weather-the-storms-of-Hollywood

And the article:

James Van Der Beek and David James Elliott weather the storms of Hollywood
July 22, 11:18 AM By Carla Hay

What’s scarier: facing down a disastrous storm or facing down a power-crazy billionaire who wants control the world’s weather? That’s the problem facing Kirk Hafner (played by James Van Der Beek), a good-guy scientist in NBC’s two-part miniseries "The Storm," which airs July 26 and August 2. In "The Storm," wealthy mogul Robert Terrell (played by Treat Williams) has achieved "weather creation" technology though his Atmospheric Research Institute, with the ulterior motive to have the technology used as a military weapon. An Army official named General Braxton (played by David James Elliott) is in cahoots with the billionaire in the ambitious plan. But when a top-secret test run leads to catastrophic hurricanes, lightening storms and other weather horrors around the world, it’s up to Hafner to expose the real purpose of Atmospheric Research Institute and stop its technology before it’s too late.

In real life, Van Der Beek and Elliott know a few things about dealing with stormy situations — as in knowing the ups and downs of being an actor, particularly one who has to rebuild a career after starring in a long-running TV-series. ("Dawson’s Creek" for Van Der Beek, "JAG" for Elliott.) In a recent telephone conference call with journalists, Van Der Beek and Elliott discussed "The Storm" and other topics, including the worst weather they’ve ever experienced, how they want to emerge from the long shadows cast by their successful TV series, and why there is a lot of truth in "The Storm’s" fictional drama.

James, you've had some really diverse roles this past year, so where exactly does "The Storm" fit in?

Van Der Beek: I was fascinated by the idea of a scientist who's kind of in love with the exploration and follows his knowledge as far as he can. But then all of the sudden [he] creates something that somebody else can use and for other kinds of nefarious purposes. I mean, this guy created this technology with the best of intentions and then somebody else took it and is using it for their own power. And so it puts him in a difficult situation. It's a guy trying to do the right thing when the right thing isn't entirely clear. And it just seemed like a lot of fun.

Is this your first miniseries?

Van Der Beek: I believe it is, yes.

How was it working with such a great cast?

Van Der Beek: It was fun. Every day there was somebody new to talk to and somebody else's brain I could pick. I had a very good time.

Is there a lot of action in the series?

Van Der Beek: Yes, there's a ton of action. I was outside underneath the rain towers about every night. It was a very, very … wet shoot for sure. But I had fun. You know, running around and it was good.

Do you think you'll be making a return appearance on "One Tree Hill"?

Van Der Beek: I don't know. They gave me a pretty good send off … But I don't know, I had a great time down there. I might go down and direct one, we'll see.

David and James, could tell us a little bit about your characters in "Storm" and maybe any specific acting challenges you found with these particular roles?

Elliott: Well I play the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. I'm awfully young for the role; however, we decided that he was a brilliant military mind and he rose through the ranks at lightening speed. And as the film kind of supports, he may have got there just a little too soon. You know, every role is challenging and bringing, nuance and levels to the character and keeping it truthful and interesting. Just in time, so those would be the challenges I might have faced. He was a military man and I've certainly played one of those but there were definite differences. And he had to struggle with his morality ultimately. So those were the challenges I faced.

Van Der Beek: I play a scientist who is working for Treat Williams’ character, Treat Williams plays a billionaire. And so my guy is somebody with a huge imagination, very creative, very brilliant. And all of the sudden has all the tools at his disposal to push the limits of science as far as his mind will allow.

And is then kind of a bit betrayed by the guy he was working for. And all of the sudden has no idea who he can trust. He has no idea who's after him but is now charged with putting a stop and an end to this thing that he's helped create. And I'd say the biggest challenge for me was keeping warm at 4 o’clock in the morning underneath rain showers. That pretty much trumped any other acting challenge.

Could you tell us a little bit about the effects in the miniseries, like green-screen work versus practical?

Elliott: I didn't really face any of the effects challenges so James would have to answer that.

Van Der Beek: I tell you the rain was real. There was no green-screen rain in this thing. We really didn't have to do many green screen issues at all. There were even some of the graphics that points in the scene were there. Really, a lot of it was just kind of practical and right there everything from the lightening flashes to the wind and even explosions … if they were in frame with me they were there on the day. So it was a pretty real environment. I didn't have to use too much imagination for a lot of it.

Aside from your characters, what attracted you to the story?

Elliott: What attracted me to the role was, you know, the script looked like it would be a lot of fun and was certainly an interesting topic. And the director is a very old and dear friend of mine and we've worked together. H directed maybe 50 episodes of "JAG," so any opportunity to work with Bradford May, I know the shoot would not only be fun but it would remain interesting and the film would look fantastic. So that's why I wanted to be part of it.

Van Der Beek: Yes, yes, I think I've spoken a little bit about the kind of the dilemma. I mean, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely. And I think that was one of the themes in this story that definitely, you know, attracted me to it and made it interesting. And I just kind of thought it would be fun to watch all this bad weather, some guy out in the middle of it. Who can he trust? He's on the run. It just seemed exciting. It seemed like something I would kind of want to maybe curl up and watch on a dark stormy night so.

The Atmospheric Research Institute reminded me of HARP [High Altitude Research Program]. Do you think "The Storm" was inspired by it at all?

Van Der Beek: I'm not familiar with HARP.

There's an actual machine like this up in Alaska, you know?

Van Der Beek: Oh really?

Elliott: Oh really?

For real, yes.

Van Der Beek: Oh boy.

Elliott: Well, hopefully they get it right. Yes. Our guys did not.

Do either of you have an interest or a passion for environmental issues of any kind?

Elliott: Well I work a lot with Saving the Reef Foundation. I went to the Bahamas and some areas that are near and dear to me. I have done some charitable stuff and hope to do a lot more with the Bahamanian government in saving that environment or preserving that environment. James?

Van Der Beek: I'm pretty much your average, energy-saving-light-bulbs-recycling citizen. I haven't got involved in any charities but it is something that I'll look [up] online and go through the newspaper and constantly kind of try to figure out how to reduce the carbon footprint wherever I can. And I'm very fascinated by all the new technology out there. I feel like we're at a very, very interesting time. I mean, [we’ve] got all this economic upheaval which I think is a really good reason and excuse to kind of reinvent how we look at energy and how we look at business. And, you know, with a real eye on...

Elliott: Opportunity.

Van Der Beek: Yes, it is an opportunity to keep it as efficient as possible. Not just because it's the right thing to do but because it just makes the most sense economically and for the planet. So I'm a very avid bystander.

Have you thought about how disaster movies are scarier than monster movies because hurricanes and earthquakes real and monsters are not?

Elliott: Well I've certainly, you know, stared down the barrel of a few hurricanes, so I know how scary weather can be because I have a house in the Bahamas, and [I] spend a great deal of time there. So I'd have to agree with you, those kind of movies scare me a lot more than the slash-and-gash film. But I've sat through a couple of small earthquakes, and apparently they say the big one is coming soon.

How do you suppose you would measure up in a chaos situation, like an earthquake or the scenario in this film? Would you be the type that steps up and takes charge and or be the type that curls up in a little ball and lets somebody else take the reigns?

Elliott: And screams like a little girl? Yes. James, how would you measure up?

Van Der Beek: How would I measure up? I've been through quite a few hurricanes. I worked in North Carolina, where there's a housing development whose name was Landfall. And so, yes, in situations like that, I think I tend to get pretty calm and pretty level-headed, which I think is probably the best way to get. But you never know. It's one of those things you never know until … you're in it just how you're going to react.

Elliott: That is what they say.

Van Der Beek: So hopefully, we won't get tested. I'd like to not have to find out, let's put it that way.

If someone said you could harmlessly change the weather, would you have wanted to? David, you grew up in Canada …

Elliott: Oh, I would have changed it in a minute. I hated the cold. And when the opportunity arose to come here [California] I jumped in my car and left immediately. And I haven't looked back. So I am not a fan of bad weather, inclement weather. I like snow if I'm skiing but I don't like slogging around in it. And I I dislike rain and that's why Southern California is a great place for mem because I like the heat. I don't like hurricanes and I don't like earthquakes but who does?

And James, growing up in Connecticut, did you have some kind of weather that you would have changed if you wanted?

Van Der Beek: There [are] three things I do not miss about living in Connecticut: January, February and March. Yes, I would certainly do away with that kind of post-winter, pre-spring cold, dry wasteland, yes.

James, what was it like working with Luke Perry? Because you guys certainly in effect were in the same teen-idol situation, about a decade apart on TV. Did you guys just chat about similarities or the interesting things the two of you had bumped across?

Van Der Beek: I tried to get as much out of him as I could. I was fascinated. I think he's a little bit further past it so it wasn't as present for him. But yes, it was really interesting. It always is, to talk to somebody who's been through something so unique like that. Because it's something you could only really know from the inside. So it's fun. There's kind of the mutual understanding for … something bizarre that really doesn't make sense on so many levels. But … it's fun. And Luke is a great guy. He's got a great perspective on it. And, yes, I really did enjoy the time in between setups.

You were talking about this scientist has good intentions but it gets out of control, much like the story of Frankenstein. Do you think that concept is relevant to the nuclear age and beyond?

Van Der Beek: Absolutely, especially as technology keeps on advancing. You know, we've got to kind of also make sure that we keep up with it … as far as our humanity and how we use this technology and what our intention is behind it … It’s a quandary that's existed as long as we've been inventing things. And technology and science is certainly not slowing down anytime soon so, yes, I think it makes for great drama for sure.

What’s the worst weather that you guys have been through?

Van Der Beek: David?

Elliott: You know, I remember some horrific snow storms. The most alarming thing, I think, is the change in the weather … I remember as a kid having so many snow days. And, you know, I realize my perspective has changed a little, but you'd walk out the door and the snow was up to your neck. I remember, with a shovel, we were tunneling toward the road to go to school when we got word that the school had been canceled that day. And now there's barely a snowfall these days in the Toronto area.

Van Der Beek: Wow. That's really frightening. I just remember in North Carolina, one year right after I'd bought property [there], we had about three hurricanes in one season. I remember hearing that [a] hurricane-relief concert had been canceled due to another hurricane. And so that was pretty crazy. You just realize how helpless you are, especially as a new property owner. You buy a house and you get it checked out and you feel like you've kind of made your mark here in some way. And then an act of God just comes up the coast and has the potential to just completely wipe it clean. Weather like that is certainly humbling.

James, were you into science at all when you were growing up?

Van Der Beek: No, actually. I could write, so I was good at English and anything where you kind of, you know, BS your way through an essay. That was my specialty. I was dyslexic, so math and formulas were not necessarily my strong suit.

Weather machines are a perennial science fiction device. How did this one become a little fresher?

Van Der Beek: Just the power struggle, really. You know, whether it's the weather machine or whether it's a nuclear weapon or whether it's cloning or just any kind of technology that concentrates a mass amount of power in the hands of one person. You know, that to me is what the movie was about. And the responsibility of creating such a device and it ultimately kind of comes down to one man against another. One kind of fighting for a greater good and one fighting simply for his own good. So to me that was kind of the struggle that attracted me to the story.

James, you’re the hero in this story, but you spend a lot of time in front of a keyboard for a hero. That's usually the sidekick's job. Is there a new kind of geek hero emerging here?

Van Der Beek: Possibly. You know, you start relying on people who are good in front of the keyboard more and more these days. So yes, I mean, that was kind of the idea behind this guy too … I mean, I've played guys who were athletic and strong and the kind of typical action hero. But what I liked about this guy was that he's not your typical action here. He's not particularly suited to being on the run, to being shot at, to being chased. But just kind of through his own kind of internal fortitude, he somehow scrambles his way through it. And that to me was kind of the more exciting journey as opposed to, you know, watching Rambo or somebody. This is somebody who decidedly is not Rambo.

Hurricane Katrina must have been in the back of everyone's mind when they were making this film.

Van Der Beek: Well, I mean, that was the idea behind the my character's motivation creating the technology was that we can avoid that. Wouldn't it be amazing if we could have diverted that and not had to have gone through that catastrophe?

James, this is kind of a reemergence for you since the end of "Dawson’s Creek"?

Van Der Beek: Yes, I was pretty burnt out after six years on a series. And I don't know that I was really ready to jump back in. One thing that's happened, I will say in the past year, year-and-a-half is I've really started to rediscover my passion for acting and for being a part of a story and in a leading role capacity. So it's fun. I'm really having a good time right now.

What was your most memorable moment you had from filming "The Storm"?

Van Der Beek: This might be kind of funny to you actually. There was a moment where it was about 4 o’clock in the morning; we were shooting in Van Nuys [in California]. It was very, very cold. We're underneath these rain towers. The entire crew, the camera crew, everybody was underneath the rain at this point. And I was hiding behind a dumpster and there was a big Rottweiler that was supposed to come up against the fence and snarl and just scare the be-Jesus out of me. And I was attacked by a dog when I was very little so I kind of have a natural fear of dogs anyway.

And this huge Rottweiler, which probably weighed about twice my weight, was being held back by a chain ready to come up and pounce against this chain link fence. And it being 4 o’clock in the morning, by the time they let go of the Rottweiler he just kind of ran up and was not angry at all. I mean, [it was] just kind of sitting there panting. But in order to save the shot I knew I had to rile him up so I turned around and actually started barking at the dog and snarling and baring my own teeth. And which point he started barking. And so, you know, I think the dailies from that day are probably pretty ridiculous: me, on my hands and knees in the pouring rain, barking at a dog.

Elliott: I was just excited to work with Treat Williams and so then my first day was probably my most memorable working with a guy I had been a big fan of for many years so. Other than that … business as usual.

What did you like most about working with the director of "The Storm"?

Van Der Beek: His passion and his energy. As David can tell you … Bradford May just comes every day with a huge zest for life and loves being on film sets. He's done every job there is to do pretty much on a film set. He started when he was 14. His parents were in the industry. He's one of those guys who really knows everybody's job on set. And was incredibly gracious about allowing them to do it and then kind of educating them on how they could do it a little bit better in a respectful way.

And [he’s] just one of those pros who you get an opportunity to work with in the business, one of those lifers who just kind of reminds you that this is really fun stuff we get to do. You know, it's a job, it's a business but when you're on set, we're all kind of telling a story and we're making a movie. So that's what I loved about him. I'm sure David has stuff to add to that too.

Elliott: Yes, there's no bullsh*tting Brad on any level because he knows everybody's job. It's one of the great things about working with Brad. And you move quickly and you don't waste time. And, you know, as James said, he's incredibly passionate and he's a gas to be around. It's not only there's not only the work done efficiently and done extremely well, it's a lot of fun. I remember the first time I met him. He walked onto a set — we'd been together, I don't know, six, seven years; I was on a show that went to 10 years. And Brad walked on the set and … nothing fazed him. He was this character … We all looked at him like, "Oh my God, who is this guy? This is not going to last." And within two, three days we fell in love with him. He's just that kind of person. You know? Great filmmaker. Probably the most underrated filmmaker in Hollywood.

How long did it take to shoot "The Storm"?

Elliott: My role was pretty quick. So James, he had to endure the worst of it.

Van Der Beek: I was on it I think five or six weeks, six weeks, seven weeks, I can't remember.

And it was all in California?

Van Der Beek: It took a while. Yes.

James, do you still have family and friends in Connecticut?

Van Der Beek: I do have family back there … I get there, you know, maybe once or twice a year. I have very, very fond memories of Connecticut. Great place to grow up. A lot of great theater out there too.

Your involvement in theater came as kind of an accident, right? You were more going into sports until you had an accident?

Van Der Beek: Yes, I mean, I had a concussion when I was eighth grade, which kind of led to me doing theater just on a community level, like, little children's theater. That's when I fell in love with it and started pursuing it. And then, yes, I just started on that path.

Were there a lot of opportunities for young people?

Van Der Beek: You know, honestly I think the best thing in the world for me were just the children's theater productions that I got to be a part of when I was 13, 14, 15 years old. There's a guy named Dave Gardino in Waterbury who ran the Cheshire Children's Theater or Cheshire Theater Ensemble that I was a part of. And I think those experiences more than anything else really prepared me to get up on stage with professionals. I had my first play in New York when I was 16. But I remember things going wrong on stage … and I was fine with it, because I'd been on stage for other children's theater production where light falls or a set goes down … and you just kind of know how to deal with it.

So I really hope that there's still that kind of opportunity for kids just even as an expression, you know, as a way to get together and work as a community and learn to work as a team. You know, I was very, very fortunate that there were opportunities for me as a kid to get up on stage and just try stuff and play different roles and, yes, I'm very grateful to Connecticut for that background.

Treat Williams is from Connecticut as well.

Van Der Beek: Yes, he is. He’s also a New York theater guy so we got along famously from the get-go.

David, does doing a project like this make you think about getting back into series TV or are you happy to do guest-starring roles and do miniseries and different projects?

Elliott: Oh no, you know, I'm thinking about it. I mean, I've been away long enough that. What I miss about series television was working the craft every day, you know? We're developing some shows at the moment with various partnerships so we'll see what happens. Series television has changed a lot since I left. It's a different game now. And the rules have changed. Getting something made, there are less opportunities.

I guess if you look at everything as a new opportunity, like James was saying earlier about dealing with the changing environment, that's kind of how I'm approaching this. I'm just happy to work, believe me. I've been doing a lot of films and I just dig working.

What are the biggest changes that the industry has gone under since "JAG" premiered?

Elliott: Well, good God, reality TV has changed everything. Certainly, there's less opportunity for scripted television. And there's less money to be made; advertising has changed. TiVo changed that. Then the networks, they may not go away; they may just have to change how they do business and it seems to be happening. Cable television is probably the savior for most of them now that everyone's amalgamated over the studio. It seems and they own a lot of the cable television stations which are booing their present situations like NBC and CBS.

So, you know, there's less money, there's less opportunity. But it's less stifling an environment to be creative in, which is great. You know, standards and practices don't have a grip on cable television like they have had on network television — not that that's good or bad but it's different …

David, are you drawn to the military parts?

Elliott: I don't know, this really was the only other time that I've done it. I mean, I did it for 10 years [on "JAG"] and [my character in "The Storm"], he's a completely different character … I believe he really at heart he was a patriot and then he found himself deep in it and then had to make some personal choices … He had to struggle with his integrity and his morality and ultimately he took the easy way out. But so this was the second time. I may have been offered a few [military roles] and turned them down just on the basis of it being another military thing and not wanting to be stuck in a box, but this one felt different. And it was fun and it was quick. And I got to work with Brad. And it was a groovy project and a great cast. And why not be a part of it?

James, you mentioned before that by the time you got to the end of your run at "Dawson's Creek" you were pretty burned out. Was there a way that that could have been avoided or is that just the nature of the beast? And would you give any advice to young stars who on are on a hot show now?

Van Der Beek: Oh boy. Wow, it's kind of a complicated question. I think really the only thing to kind of avoid burnout is a level of appreciation that I don't know you can really come to without stepping away from it for a little while. The hours are so intense. And the opportunities kind of come so fast and furious that it's almost impossible to really be able to appreciate them to the level that you should. I was doing movies during the hiatuses and doing movies during and then doing press and photo shoots and all that kind of stuff. You know, and it was a six-year run. Is there anything I could have done to avoid it? I don't know. I mean, I think now that I'm older and can kind of have a little bit different perspective on it, I'd like to think now that I can probably handle it not be burned out for so long.

I think also it started for me at age 20. I wasn't in the place of really being able to handle everything that was thrown at me. And I came out OK, but what I would say for anybody going through it: "Just focus on the work, keep good people around you. And don't believe the hype either way, good or bad. Just really keep it all about the work and make sure the people you're surrounding yourself with are just high-quality human beings and you should be OK."

Is that hard to do?

Van Der Beek: It's tricky … especially if there's money that comes into the picture, it's kind of an indiscriminate magnet. It attracts all kinds of people; some of them with good intentions, some of them not. So it really is tricky. It's not impossible, but it is tricky …

I'm sure David could probably attest to this too, but the one thing that I kind of came out of my experience with is a real compassion for anybody else who goes through the same thing. It's very easy to stand on the outside and judge and look at people making bad decisions and say, "What the hell were they thinking?" Having gone through and been in the eye of that storm I think I would try to judge a lot less than your average person looking at somebody going through a train wreck.

Impact on DVD September 1, 2009

2009-06-30T20:09:00.002-04:00

Now this is some great news!!!

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Impact-Press-Release/12208

Gooby: Giant bear can't save mediocre movie

2009-06-26T05:25:00.003-04:00

Google alert from TheStar.com website:

Jun 26, 2009 04:30 AM

Jason Anderson
Special to the star

Gooby

**(out of 4)

Starring Matthew Knight, David James Elliott and Eugene Levy. Directed by Wilson Coneybeare. 100 minutes. At the AMC Interchange 30. PG

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Teddy bears might be reliably snuggly but they aren't quite so cute when they're six feet tall and talk like Harry Potter's pal Hagrid.

For proof, look at the oversized plush toy who comes to life in this generic but occasionally charming Canadian kids' movie, which starts a limited theatrical run this weekend before a DVD release in August.

With his coat of golden fur, red tartan scarf, mechanically manipulated eyebrows and lifeless eyes, Gooby looks like an animatronic creature that's somehow escaped from the Country Bear Jamboree. It's a wonder that his pal Willy (Matthew Knight) doesn't flee in terror when Gooby shows up.

Thankfully, this furball sounds friendlier than it appears. That's because Gooby is voiced by veteran Scottish actor Robbie Coltrane.

The garrulous presence of the Harry Potter movie regular gives an additional charge to Gooby's wildest antics, like taking Willy on a daredevil downhill ride and causing a ruckus in a supermarket.

He's there to alleviate Willy's loneliness as the boy contends with life in a new school and neighbourhood.

Alas, there's only so much that one giant teddy bear can do to enliven a mediocre movie.

Written, produced and directed by the appropriately named Wilson Coneybeare, Gooby is a well-intentioned effort to create a family-friendly film on a modest budget. But its lack of a compelling storyline and overreliance on so-so slapstick will limit its appeal to easily distracted preschoolers.

The shortage of memorable human characters is another problem, though Eugene Levy has some fun as Willy's teacher, one of the few grown-ups who notice Gooby. Former JAG star David James Elliott and Ingrid Kavelaars make less of an impression as Willy's remarkably unobservant parents.

Adults in the audience, however, will be on alert next time they visit Chuck E. Cheese, lest the robot bears leap from the stage and abscond with the children.

DJE Lessens His Impact on the Environment

2009-06-17T19:59:00.002-04:00

An interesting article blurb about Ecollywood:

ABC has the scariest the-world-is-coming-to-an-end miniseries you'll see this summer.
By Gerri MillerThu, Jun 18 2009 at 5:12 AM EST

The stars of ABC’s two-part movie Impact, about a meteor shower that hits the moon, sending it on a collision course with Earth, are doing their best to lessen their impact on the environment. “I’ve changed my bulbs. I drive a hybrid. I don’t use plastic stuff in my kids’ lunches. I recycle, turn the lights off. I buy everything in bulk and pour it into sustainable containers,” enumerates Natasha Hentstridge (Eli Stone), who plays an astrophysicist in the sci-fi drama, airing at 9 p.m. June 21 and 28.

David James Elliott (JAG), who portrays a fellow scientist, eschews throwaway grocery bags and recycles, designating a separate basket for used batteries. “We carpool whenever we can. It’s certainly in our interest financially -- gas is pretty expensive. We’re doing what we can. I have two children and they’re learning about it in school. They bring home information and stuff for us to do.”

Nevertheless, Elliott is confused by the “conflicting information out there that makes it difficult to know what is doing the right thing. People say making car batteries causes more harm to the environment than they save, and making solar panels burns more energy than they save. What’s the answer? I don’t know,” he says, “but I’m looking for the truth.”

Next month, Elliott stars in another sci-fi TV movie called The Storm, playing the head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. “We weaponize the weather,” he says, “and we think it’s a good thing.” NBC airs the two-parter July 28 and Aug. 2 at 9 p.m.

http://www.mnn.com/lifestyle/ecollywood/stories/ecollywood-piers-morgan-disses-simon-cowells-bad-eco-habits

Hollywood Gives Back as Celebrities Celebrate the Fifth Annual CCGI Celebrity Golf and Charity Event

2009-06-16T20:14:00.000-04:00

Posted : Tue, 16 Jun 2009 21:05:38 GMT
Author : Bragman Nyman Cafarelli
Category : Press Release
News Alerts by Email ( click here )
News | Home

LOS ANGELES, June 16 CA-BNC-CCGI-RISARC

Celebrities Cedric 'The Entertainer,' Anthony Anderson, Bill Bellamy, Dave Annable, Mekhi Phifer, Jerry Rice and More to Take Part to Raise Funds for Schools in Economically Challenged Countries

LOS ANGELES, June 16 /PRNewswire/ -- RISARC Consulting LLC and its' charitable arm, the CCGI Foundation, are pleased to announce its celebrity participation for this year's Fifth Annual Caribbean Classic Golf Invitational (CCGI) in Montego Bay, Jamaica during the week of June 24th - 28th. Each year CCGI events attract celebrities, sports figures and comedians alike. Talent participating in this year's invitational include Cedric "The Entertainer," (Johnson Family Vacation 2), Mekhi Phifer (ER), Dave Annable (Brothers and Sisters), Bill Bellamy (October Road), Anthony Anderson (Law & Order), Flex Alexander (The Hills Have Eyes), Carmine Giovinazzo (CSI: NY), Jill-Michele Melean (MADtv), Johnny Sanchez (MADtv), Alan Thicke (How I Met Your Mother), Salli Richardson (Eureka), Brendan Fehr (Roswell), Saleisha Stowers (America's Next Top Model - Season 9), Grant Show (Private Practice), Vanessa Marcil (Without a Trace), Odette Yustman (The Unborn), Bruce Greenwood (Star Trek), Roger Cross (Day the Earth Stood Still), Chris Jacobs (Host of The Insider), Bruce McGill (The Perfect Game), Peter Weller (RoboCop), Richard Roundtree (Lincoln Heights), David James Elliott (The Guard), Ed "Too Tall" Jones (Former Dallas Cowboys Player), Frank Shamrock (UFC Champion), Randy Couture (UFC Hall of Famer), Gary Goodridge (Professional Kickboxer and Mixed Martial Artist), Ray Sefo (K-1 Fighter), Dr. Jason Diamond (Dr. 90210), Jane Park Smith (Ms. America), Leon Preston Robinson (Cool Runnings) and more. With this year's lineup of events and celebrity participation, this year's annual event is one of the most anticipated and without a doubt, the most exciting event on the calendar this year. Lineup of events during the week include a celebrity-pro golf tournament, comedy night, Champions of Champions II Muay Thai fight night, fashion show and black tie gala.

Commenting on CCGI's festivities Cedric "The Entertainer" said, "I am very excited to once again partner with CCGI and take part in the wonderful work that the organization is doing in the Jamaican and Caribbean community." Cedric will not only attend the week's action packed festivities but will also host the invitational's comedy night showcase with performances by comedians Bill Bellamy, Jill-Michele Melean, Johnny Sanchez and more. Additionally, celebrities taking part celebrity-pro golf tournament include Mekhi Phifer, Bruce Greenwood, Dave Annable, Grant Show, Alan Thicke, Brendan Fehr, David James Elliott, Bruce McGill, Peter Weller and Carmine Giovinazzo, and Jerry Rice.

The Fifth Annual Caribbean Classic Golf Invitational's schedule of activities includes:
Wednesday, June 24, 2009Celebrity VIP/Culture Show/Welcome PartyThursday, June 25, 2009CCGI Amateur Scramble Golf TournamentMuay Thai Weigh-inFirst Annual Caribbean Comedy Classic hosted by Cedric "The Entertainer" with performances by Bill Bellamy and moreFriday, June 26, 2009Beachathon"Champions of Champions II" Muay Thai Fight Night (Live on PayPerView) & Supermodel Mania (Collections Showcased To Include Lines From Alexander McQueen, Parasuco, House of Howe, Thomas Wylde, Sterling Capricio, Dena Burton, Live Mechanics, Rufskin and John Varvatos with special thanks to Chic Little Devil Style House)Saturday, June 27, 2009CCGI Celebrity/Pro-Golf Tournament CCGI Black-Tie GalaSunday, June 28, 2009Guest Departure

The event is a world-class entertainment experience and the only 4 day charity event of its kind. Proceeds raised from the event will be used by CCGI Foundation to donate brand new computers to schools to establish technology learning centers in economically challenged countries in the Caribbean starting with Jamaica. The foundation's mission is to develop a generation of future leaders by providing the primary schools with much needed computers to help students acquire the skills they need to be globally competitive in our digital, technology driven era. The foundation's program fosters computer literacy while empowering children to reach their dreams.

Sponsorship opportunities for the Caribbean Classic Golf Invitational are still available. Individuals interested in attending the or staying at the invitational's host resort, Iberostar Rose Hall Beach & Spa Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica should contact CCGI at ccgi-info@risarconline.com or call 818-953-3020. More information regarding the invitational and the week's events is available online at http://www.istreamyoustream.com.

About the RISARC Foundation and CCGI FOUNDATION
The mission of RISARC and the CCGI Foundation is to collaborate and focus resources on preparing a new generation of leaders by building a platform for leadership development and innovative project initiatives. The focus is to establish computer learning centers in Jamaica and throughout the Caribbean. More information can be found at www.caribbeangolfclassic.org

ABOUT RISARC
RISARC was established in 1990 as a healthcare consulting firm, offering an all-inclusive array of consulting and technology services. More information can be found at www.risarc.com

About Iberostar Hotels & Resorts
Iberostar Hotels & Resorts is a family-owned Spanish hospitality company with more than 75 years experience in the travel industry. Iberostar provides unique vacation experiences, rooted in superior customer service and quality, in the world's most popular vacation destinations. With more than 100 hotels in 15 countries, Iberostar Hotels & Resorts is committed to offering excellence in quality and service and providing personal attention to each guest. For more information visit iberostar.com.

SOURCE Bragman Nyman Cafarelli

Whoo hooo... this is a wonderful thing that DJE is doing!!! Do well everyone!!!

DJE on ET

2009-06-13T03:17:00.000-04:00

Thanks to my friend, Maya, for sharing this. It's short but oh so sweet! LOL!!!

David James Elliott moves to Paradigm

2009-06-12T16:59:00.000-04:00

Paradigm Signs 17 New Clients (Including 13 from WMA); Loses Damon Wayans; Promotes 2 Agent Trainees

Paradigm has gotten busy in the past two weeks. It announced today that its TV Lit department has signed 9 new clients from the former William Morris Agency and 4 other TV Lit clients from UTA, Endeavor, APA and one unrepresented. Coming over from WMA are: Chris Alberghini & Mike Chessler, executive producers/showrunners of Cashmere Mafia, Reba; Jennifer Fisher, supervising producer of Bill Engvall; Stephen Godchaux, executive producer of Dead Like Me and Spin City; Felicia Henderson, executive producer/showrunner of Fringe; Barnet Kellman, producer/director of Monk and Samantha Who; Richard Kramer, executive producer of Judging Amy; Matthew Pyken, executive producer/showrunner of Knight Rider and Las Vegas; Arlene Sanford, producer/director of Grey’s Anatomy and Medium.

Signed from other agencies are Antonia Ellis, producer/director of Men In Trees and Sex And The City from APA; Stephen Kronish, executive producer/showrunner of 24 from Endeavor; Chuck Martin, co-executive producer or consulting producer of Arrested Development from UTA; Terence Nightingall, director of ER.

Paradigm also announced that recently hired WMA talent agent Erwin More has added four more actor clients from Morris: Brandy, David James Elliott, Tom Everett Scott, and Gregory Smith.

Also, Damon Wayans has left Paradigm as a client after just six months there. The agency had been negotiating a series deal for him and had just secured a book deal for him. Paradigm claims it will still be working with him on on-going projects, and he will remain a literary client, "But in other areas he will move on. He is wonderfully talented, we want the best for him now and in the future and we knew going in that he tends to move around a lot," an agency insider tells me. Paradigm got into biz with Wayans in early December.

Paradigm also announced today that Jason Cunningham (talent) and Ida Ziniti (motion picture lit) have been promoted from the agent training program to full agents effective immediately.

http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/paradigm-signs-17-new-clients-including-13-from-wma-loses-damon-wayans-promotes-2-agent-trainees/

Interview with Natasha Hendstridge about 'Impact'

2009-06-11T20:24:00.002-04:00

Natasha Henstridge says this real science is behind ABC's disaster mini Impact
By Jenna Busch
6:00 AM ON 06/11/09

Natasha Henstridge, who plays scientist Maddie Rhodes in ABC's upcoming limited series Impact, told SCI FI Wire that the sci-fi disaster movie is based on real science. Sort of.

"We actually worked with an astrophysicist up in Canada," Henstridge said in an exclusive phone interview on Wednesday. "When I was working in the observatory up there, I spent some time and asked some questions and got some answers I probably could have lived without knowing [laughs]. A little bit more eye-opening than I had imagined. It's a fascinating subject and one of those things that are very sci-fi, but at the end of the day, the possibility of this happening is kind of there. So it makes it that much more exciting to work on something that's terrifying at the same time."

In the show, Henstridge and David James Elliott co-star as scientists called in to deal with the imminent destruction of humanity after a spectacular meteor shower results in a direct hit to the moon, leaving it on a collision course with the Earth. The four-hour limited series also stars Steven Culp and James Cromwell.

Following is an edited version of our interview with Henstridge, in which she also talks about other projects. Impact debuts on June 21 at 9 p.m. ET/PT and will conclude the following Sunday at the same time. (Possible spoilers ahead!)

So tell us a bit about the story.

Henstridge: Basically it is about, ... behind the meteor shower, this wonderful meteor shower that we get to see once in a lifetime, ... there happens to be a brown dwarf, which is sort of like a meteor. But a brown dwarf that hits the moon, sort of embeds itself in the moon. We think it's just knocked the moon slightly off balance, but we soon realize that it's changed the polarity of the moon, and it's changed the axis on which the moon rotates around Earth.

We then start to realize that it's like a magnet, and it's pulling it closer and closer to Earth. And we, as these brilliant scientists that we are [laughs], have to stop it. To stop the imminent impact of Earth and the moon. That's the gist of it. We find that out gradually as the story goes on, ... we have to find a way to stop it, or at least get it back on its normal axis.

And your character?

Henstridge: I play a scientist named Maddie Rhodes, and she sort of keeps in touch with Washington on all things concerning astrophysics and that sort of thing. And not unbeknownst to me, but not quite ready for what I have to take on, they put me in charge of a team and ask me to put a team together, and I go back to my old college sweetheart, played by David James Elliott. Alex Kittner is his name in the film. I go back to him and ask him, because he's one of the best minds in the business as well. We have to band together and find a way to stop this horrible catastrophe from happening.

Were you familiar with the science of the story? Did you know about brown dwarfs before doing this project?

Henstridge: I knew zero about brown dwarfs before I began, and a lot more about them now [laughs]. Yeah, a brown dwarf is basically the remnants of a dead star, so it's this enormously compact matter. Heavier and more dense than anything we know on the face of the earth. You learn a lot. ...

I know you've said that physicality in acting is a lot of fun. Are you doing anything in Impact that's going to upset the insurance people?

Henstridge: No, I didn't have much to do. I was an intellect in the film, so there weren't a whole lot of stunts in this film. Hopefully soon. I do love that stuff.

I know the director of this project, Michael J. Rohl, has worked on shows like Supernatural, Smallville and Eureka. Are you a fan of shows like that? Sci-fi in general?

Henstridge: I'm not a huge sci-fi fan. I'm not going to lie to you. I am a fan of something that is educational and teaches you something as you're shooting it. I like certain sci-fi. I'm not a big sci-fi buff, but I do like certain films that have some plausibility to it. A possibility to it. ... I think that's really interesting.

Have you seen the finished product?

Henstridge: I just saw it. My kids watched it with me as well, which was amazing. Such a cool thing for me. With a lot of the kinds of films I've done, they haven't been able to watch [laughs]. But it was a real treat for us to be able to sit down and watch. We watched the first night, and they were begging me to watch the second night. They were really riveted by it. They loved it. That was really exciting for me. It was really nice. They kept giggling whenever I was onscreen. It was really cute. And it's educational as well.

So we're all very, very, very sad about Eli Stone getting canceled [Henstridge was a cast member on the fantasy series].

Henstridge: Thank you for the third very. We really enjoyed making that. We thought it was a great message and a really entertaining show. ... It was a bummer.

Would you do another series?

Henstridge: I'd love to, actually. I love the stability of doing a show. I really enjoy the family aspect of it, the stability of it. ... It's lovely. Practicing your craft every day in different ways. You never know what's coming up next week, what kind of struggles, what will be going on. I love it.

Everyone seems to be remaking sci-fi/fantasy shows and films. What do you think: Should they remake Species?

Henstridge: Oh! Has it been that long already?

No, but that doesn't seem to stop anyone.

Henstridge: [Laughs.] That's true. It doesn't. Oh, my God, they've made so many Species films! They might be making one right now. I'm actually going today to do a voice-over for a Stan Lee cartoon, which will be coming out on telephones. They're little, not webisodes. I'm calling them "phoneisodes." I'm not quite sure of the format yet. I'm playing this great character called Charity Vile, with Stan Lee, who is doing one of the voices as well. And it's his work. ... It's really been very entertaining. That will be fun. And I have a couple of movie offers on the table, but I haven't confirmed anything yet.

Can you tell us anything else about the project? Characters we might recognize?

Henstridge: I'd better not. I'm not really sure yet if I'm allowed to, so I'd better just keep mum about it. ... It's called Time Jumper. It's really cool.

Link to original article with photos:
http://scifiwire.com/2009/06/natasha-henstridge-says-t.php

Press Release for Impact Part 1

2009-06-01T21:35:00.001-04:00

Monday, June 01, 2009
ABC Television Network
PRESS RELEASE - PRESS RELEASE - ENTERTAINMENT -
ABC PREMIERE EVENT: Impact, Part 1 (6/21)

PREMIERE

EARTH AND MOON ARE ON A COLLISION COURSE IN THE THRILLING
LIMITED SERIES "IMPACT," STARRING DAVID JAMES ELLIOTT AND
NATASHA HENSTRIDGE, JUNE 21 & 28 ON THE ABC TELEVISION NETWORK

Steven Culp ("Desperate Housewives"), James Cromwell ("W," "Babe") Also Star

The most spectacular meteor shower in 10,000 years results in a direct hit to the moon, leaving it on a collision course with the Earth. A small group of international astronauts, scientists and soldiers band together in a race against time to save humanity, in the thrilling limited ABC series "Impact," airing SUNDAY, JUNE 21 and SUNDAY, JUNE 28 (9:00-11:00 p.m., ET both nights), on the ABC Television Network.

David James Elliott ("Close to Home," "Jag") Natasha Henstridge ("Eli Stone," "Species"), Steven Culp ("Desperate Housewives," "ER") and Oscar and Emmy-nominated James Cromwell ("W," "L.A. Confidential," "Babe") are among the stars of the international cast.

The world watches as a large meteor shower streaks across the skies. Hidden in the meteor field is a brown dwarf , a dead star. It smashes into the moon in a tremendous explosion of rock and debris. Fragments of the moon itself penetrate Earth's atmosphere and make impact. Even though initial damage is minimal, nerves are frayed throughout the planet. Experts quickly conclude there will be no lasting ramifications. Then strange anomalies begin to manifest themselves on Earth. It starts small - cell phone disruptions, unusual static charges and odd tidal behavior. The world's leading scientists, including Alex Kittner (David James Elliott), Maddie Rhodes (Natasha Henstridge) and Roland Emerson (Benjamin Sandler), begin piecing together evidence that suggests that the moon and its orbit may have been permanently altered. Their fears are realized when the anomalies increase to the point where the effect of gravity is being manipulated by increased electromagnetic surges coming from the moon. People, cars and other objects are rendered momentarily weightless in random, isolated areas around the globe. Alex, Maddie, Roland and the rest of their team soon discover something far worse - the moon's new orbit has put it on a collision course with Earth!

The world now has 39 days to stop the moon or Earth, or all of mankind will perish. After a failed attempt by the United States to destroy the moon, the scientific team works together to mount an international mission to the moon. Alex, whose children and father-in-law (James Cromwell) have gone missing, is torn as he must join Roland on the mission to the moon. It's a race against time as the two celestial bodies are drawn closer and closer to impact.

The Cast: David James Elliott as Alex Kittner, Natasha Henstridge as Dr. Maddie Rhodes, Benjamin Sadler as Roland Emerson, Florentine Lahme as Martina Altmann, James Cromwell as Lloyd, Steven Culp as President Edward Taylor, Owen Best as Jake Kittner, Natasha Calis as Sadie Kittner, Yee Jee Tso as Jered O'Banno, Colin Cunningham as David Rhodes, Michael Kopsa as General Vaughn, Samantha Ferris as Renee Ferguson, Ron Lea as Tom Ranfield, Ben Ayres as Bob Pierce, Gerard Plunkett as Terence Young, Ty Olsson as Derek, Alex Zahara as Franz Henke, Kendall Cross as Courtney Batterton, Gideon Karmel as Sergei Pitinkov, Matthew Walker as Ian Wilson, Andre Hennicke as the pastor, Marina Dodlek as the waitress, Russell Roberts as Hal Boon, Terence Kelly as Hugh, Agam Darshi as Ella Barklow and Stephen Dimopoulos as Denny.

"Impact" was written by Michael Vickerman ("Superfire") and directed by Michael J. Rohl ("Smallville," "Supernatural," "Eureka.")

"Impact" is from Tandem Communications / Jaffe/Braunstein Entertainment and Muse Entertainment Enterprises present an Impact Films Production. Executive producers are Jonas Bauer, Rola Bauer, Howard Braunstein, Greg Gugliotta, Tim Halkin and Michael Prupas. Co-executive producer is Irene Litinsky. Ted Bauman is producer and Jesse Prupas is associate producer.

"Impact" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound. This program carries a TV-PG,L,V parental guideline.

ABC Media Relations: Ellen Gonzalez (818) 460-7185, Ellen.M.Gonzalez@abc.com
Photography is available at www.abcmedianet.com or at (818) 460-6611

Disney ABC Television Summer Press Junket held at the ABC Riverside Building. Burbank, California - 30.05.09

2009-05-31T21:43:00.002-04:00

This photo is from the Contactmusic.com website. Natasha Hendridge also attended the junket. Other's have some of these photos posted without giving credit to the website they were taken from, I'm not going to do that. If you go to the website, I'm sure you can find the David James Elliott gallery and have copies of these photos for yourself. I'm only posting one. I love his expression on this one. Enjoy!

David James Elliott cast in 'Bed'

2009-05-14T22:26:00.000-04:00

David James Elliott cast in 'Bed'
Dan Garcia directing feature
Staff report
May 14, 2009, 06:17 PM ET
From the HollywoodReporter.com website:

David James Elliott has been cast as an Internet millionaire in the feature "Bed & Breakfast," directed by Dan Garcia.

Elliott, who is repped by WMA and Bob McGowan, co-starred in "JAG" and "Knights of Bloodsteel," on the Sci-Fi Channel.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Now we know officially why he was unable to be in the BMW Golf Tournament. There was another movie by this same name made in 2005, I think, that was a horror/thriller. Makes one wonder if this is a remake of that one or a totally different movie.

DJE is not going to play in the BMW Golf Tournament

2009-05-08T00:29:00.002-04:00

He is officially not going to be there. A friend, kind enough to share some of the information, was told that he has a filming commitment in Louisiana. Can't wait to find out what he is up to!

'The Storm' trailer

2009-05-05T21:29:00.002-04:00

Video Recaps | Full Episodes | Webisodes

'The Storm' on NBC

2009-05-05T21:21:00.003-04:00

In The Storm, from RHI Entertainment, billionaire Robert Terrell (Golden Globe and Emmy nominee Treat Williams, Everwood) has fulfilled a lifelong obsession and made history with "weather creation" technology though his Atmospheric Research Institute. But during a test run, a blast of energy is sent into the ionosphere with unexpected results. The experiments hurtle the planet towards destruction — hurricanes change course, winds go instantly from hot to cold, torrential rains bring regions to a standstill, and buildings crumble into ruins under explosive lightning storms. It’s only the beginning.

Only one scientist, Dr. Jonathan Kirk (James Van Der Beek, Dawson’s Creek), steps forward to demand that the system be terminated. Terrell is undeterred and continues to push his team to move forward. His motives for the initially philanthropic technology are in truth far more opportunistic. With government cohort, Army General Braxton (David James Elliott, JAG), Terrell envisions the technology as a key military weapon to ensure superpower status.

Realizing he’s powerless to stop the project by himself, Kirk contacts news reporter Danni Wilson (Teri Polo, Meet the Parents) with plans to expose Terrell and explain the catastrophic weather to a bewildered and frightened world. It’s a task that won’t come easy, as Kirk quickly discovers the motives and loyalties of authorities are not in his favor. As devastating and extreme weather events hammer down on every corner of the earth, it will be a race against time to shut down the system before the planet is taken to edge of extinction.

Featuring a cast of television favorites including Emmy winner John Larroquette (Boston Legal), Luke Perry (Beverly Hills, 90210) and Marisol Nichols (24), The Storm is the ultimate tale of man against nature, and an epic miniseries event posing a tantalizing and terrifying what-if scenario.

Sundays July 26th & August 2nd 10/9c

http://widgets.nbc.com/o/4727a250e66f9723/4a00e6aa5c3f2b9e/49ff516f9b387fa5/fc6615b1/-cpid/8cc6262f8806e796" id="W4727a250e66f97234a00e6aa5c3f2b9e" width="384" height="283">http://widgets.nbc.com/o/4727a250e66f9723/4a00e6aa5c3f2b9e/49ff516f9b387fa5/fc6615b1/-cpid/8cc6262f8806e796" />

Posted on Crazy4TV.com:
http://crazy4tv.com/2009/05/05/mini-series-this-summer-on-nbc-meteor-the-storm/

'Impact' trailer

2009-04-17T19:53:00.001-04:00

http://www.quietearth.us/articles/2009/04/17/Trailer-for-ABCs-apocalyptic-miniseries-IMPACT

Posted on Friday, April 17th, 2009 18:58:38 GMT by: agentorange

This fall, ABC is bringing us director Mike Rohl's (Smallville, Eureka, Supernatural) epic apocalyptic 2-part mini-series event called Impact and we've got the trailer for ya! It's full of all the mass CGI destruction and over-acting you've come to expect so enjoy. While the entire world watches the largest meteor shower in 10,000 years, a brown dwarf, hidden by the meteor field, smashes into the moon in a tremendous explosion of rock and debris. Fragments of the moon itself, penetrate Earth's atmosphere and make impact. Even though the initial damage is minimal, nerves are frayed throughout the planet. Then strange anomalies begin to manifest themselves on Earth. It starts small - cell phone disruptions, unusual static charges and odd tidal behavior. Then, gravity on earth is effected. The world now has 39 days to stop it or Earth, and all of mankind, will perish!

Impact stars Natasha Henstridge, David James Elliott, James Cromwell and Steven Culp.

(click on above link to watch the trailer)

SciFiandTVTalk's Blog by Steve Eramo

2009-04-17T19:44:00.001-04:00

Here's a link to a nicely written behind the scenes look at 'Knights of Bloodsteel.'

http://scifiandtvtalk.wordpress.com/2009/04/17/david-james-elliott-a-heros-journey/

Definitely a blog worth keeping an eye on.

TVGuide.com interview with DJE about Knights of Bloodsteel

2009-04-17T19:34:00.002-04:00

David James Elliott Plunges into Sci Fi's Knights of Bloodsteel
Apr 17, 2009 12:56 PM ET
by Erin Fox

JAG's David James Elliott has traded his buzzcut and pressed uniform for a flowing mane and leather battle-wear to star in Sci Fi's two-part movie event Knights of Bloodsteel (Sunday, April 19 and Monday, April 20, 9 pm/ET, Sci Fi). Elliott stars as freedom fighter John Serragoth in this tale about the continent of Mirabilis, where humans, goblins, elves and dwarves seek bloodsteel, an ore that imparts magical abilities to anyone who can draw it from the Earth.
TVGuide.com spoke with Elliott about making the leap into the fantasy genre, training for sword-fighting scenes and talking up the idea of a JAG reunion.

TVGuide.com: Knights of Bloodsteel could not be more different from JAG. What drew you to the project?

David James Elliott: I'm a fan of the genre and I'm always looking for something my 6-year-old can watch. I thought it was right up his alley. He's always asking me to be in a movie, because he's a big movie watcher.

TVGuide.com: Did you read all the Lord of the Rings books?

Elliott: I read The Hobbit, all the Tarzan books when I was a kid, and Conan the Barbarian — all that fantasy stuff.

TVGuide.com: Did you pass that love of the genre on to your kids?

Elliott: Well I have a 16-year-old daughter, so she was never aware of any of that, although I think she's reading Twilight. But my son is certainly into it, you know Star Wars and all that, and that's a similar realm, I guess.

TVGuide.com: How long did it take you to learn how to sword-fight?

Elliott: I grew up in the theater — the classical theater — I went to theater school and studied swordplay. I worked with a man named Patty Crane who was Errol Flynn's stand-in back in the '30s in Hollywood. So I wasn't a stranger to sword-fighting, but it had been a while.

TVGuide.com: It seemed pretty intricate. Were you ever nervous you'd get hurt?

Elliott: Well it's choreographed, so hopefully it comes off like a dance. ... The swords were made of steel and they were sharp. I had one glance off my eyebrow — ripped through my eyebrow and just missed taking my eye out. So I had one mishap, but it's pretty amazing that with all the fights we had, that was the only disaster. Usually in fistfights you get punched in the face. I remember on JAG, Joe Jackson punched Stephen Culp and shattered his nose. You know, we were going into our 18th hour of shooting, and they had a sequence where he had to pretend to punch him in the face, and he landed it and they had to take him away in an ambulance.

TVGuide.com: Would you ever return to series television or are you happier doing smaller projects now?

Elliott: I guess if the series was right, I'd like to do it. It's tiring though. At the time, at the end of 10 years [on JAG] it felt like, "never again will I do this to myself." But you miss it too. You miss that everyday practicing of your craft and it's a big family. But I do enjoy the freedom of doing a movie and then having some time off.

TVGuide.com: Any chance of a JAG reunion movie in our future?

Elliott: I'm not aware of any in the works, but that would be interesting. I've never actually had that question posed before. But maybe it's that time now when people are thinking, "You know what? Maybe there will be a movie."

Link to original post:
http://www.tvguide.com/News/David-James-Elliott-1005161.aspx

I'd love to see a JAG reunion movie!!! I think all of the fans would too!!

Interview with DJE about 'Gooby' on SciFiWire

2009-04-16T07:44:00.001-04:00

Edward James Elliott (SCI FI's Knights of Bloodsteel) told reporters that he's completed another genre project, the family fantasy Gooby.

Gooby certainly sounds like it falls into the fantasy realm. How would you explain the story to someone?

Elliott: It's a family picture. Robbie Coltrane [Hagrid in the Harry Potter adventures] is in it, and Eugene Levy and myself. It's about ... a family having lost their way, for lack of a better explanation. The communication between parents and children was confused. And so Gooby, this monster of the imagination, comes in, and he winds up helping everyone. It's a cool picture. You'd have to see it. It's not like anything I'd read before, and Wilson Coneybeare wrote, directed and produced this piece. That's his genre, children/family films, and he's really good at it [having done Monster Warriors and Timeblazers]. So I had a ball doing it.

So you had an actor on the set playing the bear-like creature ...

Elliott: Yeah. There was an actor playing the monster, and then Robbie [Coltrane] laid his voice in later. So that was an interesting process. I saw it and my 5-year-old saw it, and he loved it. It's a really lovely, touching film. It's fun.

And what's happening with it?

Elliott: I just had an e-mail the other day saying that it just got a limited release. I'd have to dig it up for you. I'll tell you in one second what's happening with it. [Elliott taps at his computer] Here we go. Yes, AMC has picked it up for a limited theatrical, and Harkins and Carmike Cinemas. It's going direct to the exhibitors, and they also got into the Toronto and Houston movie festivals, and they won a bunch of citation awards. Stuff is starting to happen.

Link to original article with photo:
http://scifiwire.com/2009/04/david-james-elliott-talks.php

Barrie hits the big screen at children's film fest

2009-04-16T07:38:00.001-04:00

Google alert from BarryAdvance.com
Author: Leigh Blenkhorn, STAFF
Date: Apr 16, 2009

Gooby, a new children's movie starring the city of Barrie, will make its debut at Sprockets, the Toronto International Film Festival for Children this weekend.

The film, written and directed by Wilson Coneybeare, was shot in Barrie last summer and stars Robbie Coltrane, David James Elliott and Eugene Levy.

Coneybeare said the film came about because he wanted a movie he could take all four of his children to see.

"The story itself came about from my own son, who was about seven at the time," Coneybeare said. "I basically wanted to write a story for him that would be fun but also have something to say to kids and parents about the importance of imagination."

Gooby is the story of Willy, an 11-year-old who is afraid of moving to a new house and the evil space aliens that live there. Willy wishes for someone to save him and then Gooby, a full-size furry creature comes to life. The film is the story of their adventures together.

Gooby was shot in a number of locations in Barrie, including Sunnidale Park and downtown.

"Everyone was extremely co-operative; the cty reached out to help us in anyway they could and we were able to shoot right downtown without any problem," Coneybeare said. "We were able to find a factory for rent where we could shoot our interiors. We just had a fantastic time."

Coneybeare said one of the best things about filming in Barrie was that no one was really star struck. Most people just went about their normal day, ignoring the cameras.

"There was one day we were filming at Dunlop and Bayfield with Gooby, who looks like a six-foot furry monster. We had the camera on one side of the street with Gooby and the boy walking along, and I thought for sure we were going to cause traffic accidents. We start rolling and the cars just kept going by. It amazed me."

Coneybeare is no stranger to filming in Barrie; his company Coneybeare Stories filmed the YTV show Monster Warriors in the city as well.

For more information on Gooby or Coneybeare Stories Inc., visit www.coneybearestories.ca .

BMW Charity Pro-Am

2009-04-15T22:07:00.001-04:00

Swinney among celebrities who will play in BMW
Actors Dennis Quaid, Greg Kinnear will also be in Nationwide tournament field

By Eric Boynton eric.boynton@shj.com
Published: Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at 9:35 p.m.
Last Modified: Wednesday, April 15, 2009 at 9:35 p.m.

The list of celebrities was announced Wednesday for the BMW Charity Pro-Am to be played May 14-17 at The Carolina Country Club, Greer’s Thornblade Club and Bright’s Creek Golf Club in Mill Spring, N.C.

The tournament is the lone Nationwide Tour event pairing celebrities with the professionals. The first eight tournaments have raised $6.7 million for area charities. Here’s who will be appearing, with a schedule to be released later.

Making his debut in the tournament will be Clemson head football coach Dabo Swinney. Joining him will be actors Dennis Quaid, Greg Kinnear, Oliver Hudson, Dave Coulier, Lucas Black, Catherine Bell, David James Elliott, Jason Dohring, Terry O’Quinn, Michael Pena, Kevin Sorbo, Gary Valentine, Janet Jones-Gretzky and Paula Trickey.

Athletes include Wayne Gretzky, Sterling Sharpe, Kordell Stewart and George Rogers. Musicians are Steve Azar, Javier Colon and Joe Don Rooney.

Also in the field are golf television journalist Jennifer Mills, and golf course designer Ben Wright.

All rights reserved. This copyrighted material may not be re-published without permission. Links are encouraged. Link to original article:
http://www.goupstate.com/article/20090415/NEWS/904159935/1088/sports04?Title=Swinney-among-celebrities-who-will-play-in-BMW

Interview with David James Elliott about 'Knights of Bloodsteel'

2009-04-15T20:13:00.002-04:00

How JAG's David James Elliott became a hero in Knights of Bloodsteel

By Ian Spelling6:00 AM ON 04/15/09 on Sci Fi Wire:

David James Elliott told reporters that his latest project, the upcoming SCI FI Channel two-night movie event Knights of Bloodsteel, is about as far removed as possible from JAG, the television military drama that made him famous.

Knights of Bloodsteel is set in Mirabilis, a world dependent on the rare metal bloodsteel for its magical power. There's little bloodsteel remaining, however, and the evil Dragon Eye (Mark Gibbon) has set his sights on claiming the remaining supply. That leaves the elf wizard Tesselink (Christopher Lloyd) to call upon a quartet of everyday people to save the day. Among them are an elf bounty hunter (Natassia Malthe) and a human vigilante named John Serragoth (Elliott).
SCI FI Wire was on the line late last month when Elliott spoke to journalists in a conference call.

The movie premieres this Sunday at 9 p.m. ET/PT, with the second half airing the following Monday at 9 p.m. The following are edited excerpts of the call with Elliott.

As an actor, every job is make-believe, but are there notable differences working in the fantasy genre, or does it not really matter if there are elves on set?

Elliott: Well, certainly the dialogue is different on the set. Everything is different. Notable difference: ... We look completely different than I did on JAG, for instance. We're dealing in a fantastical world with different values, and ... there's swordplay. I've worked with swords before. It had been a little while since I had, and I had a little mishap one day. ... I almost lost my eye. Whenever you're fighting with swords—especially real swords, or even swords that are just not as sharp as they might've been in the day—they're still pretty sharp, and somebody is swinging them with some vigor. You're always on the edge of a mishap, and I had one of the swords slice through my eyebrow and just miss my eye. But that was the worst.

What was it that actually interested you in the project? The project as a whole? The role?

Elliott: I grew up a fan of the fantasy genre. I read Tarzan and Conan the Barbarian books. I always found it to be a fun thing to do, and it's certainly a great departure for me, having not done anything like it on film ever. I was sent the script, and it was really well written. And I was looking for a job. So all those things combined.

Do you think people will be surprised to see you in a fantasy project like this?

Elliott: Oh, I'm sure. It's a funny [town, Hollywood]. I was talking about this the other day. You know, they go, "Wow, can he do anything else?" You go, "Well, I just, ... I mean, I'm an actor." I've done many roles, but most people know me from JAG, so I guess maybe it's human nature to assume that you're only capable of playing a military man.

You mentioned the swords, but in general how physical a shoot was Knights of Bloodsteel?

Elliott: I loved it every day. I loved showing up every day. It was a pretty physical shoot. We were tramping through the forest, and we were all over the province of British Columbia. There was a lot of swordplay and action sequences. But it was good fun. And the cast, we all got along very well. So it was a nice deal. The crew were great. I just had a really good time, and the weather was outstanding, which is certainly not always the case in British Columbia. So, you know, the fates smiled on us.

Link to article with photos:
http://scifiwire.com/2009/04/how-jags-david-james-elli.php

Alcatraz Swim possible for DJE

2009-04-03T23:03:00.001-04:00

Had this in a Google alert from Bend Weekly:

STAR ATHLETE: David James Elliott has been going from project to project with little break in between for most of the past year, but the triathlete and former "Jag" star isn't letting that stop him from taking on physical challenges. Next up: "I'm getting ready to do the Alcatraz Swim," he tells us, referring to this summer's 1.5-mile race from Alcatraz Island to San Francisco's Presidio Park. Next up in terms of Elliott's viewability: his starring role in the Sci Fi Channel's April 19 and 20 "Knights of Bloodsteel" miniseries.

Link to full article:
http://www.bendweekly.com/news/17131.html

Knights of Bloodsteel

2009-03-30T01:27:00.001-04:00

Had this in a Google news alert from the 'National Ledger':

WHEN OPPORTUNITY KNOCKS: David James Elliott expects to be spending the next three weeks enjoying "what I like to think of as a well-deserved vacation" in the Bahamas -- where the actor had barely landed when he got the call for the Sci Fi Channel's April 19 and 20 "Knights of Bloodsteel" event miniseries.

"They said if I wanted to do it, I had to come back immediately. I knew it would be a great opportunity to do something completely different." So the former "Jag" star hopped on a plane. He tells us he's always been into science fiction and fantasy, that "When I was a kid, I was a big 'Conan the Barbaran' fan. I read the Tarzan book and other fantasies. I'm a fan of the genre."

"Bloodsteel" ended up being a massive affair that took two months to shoot. "We were in some incredible, breathtaking locations outside Vancouver, in the Rocky Mountains. The scenery lent itself so well to the piece -- stunning waterfalls deep in this forest … Phenomenal."

His character, he says, "has been savagely wronged, his family annihilated by these goblins and basically horrific barbarians who razed the village where he lived. He has a list of people to take care of -- to seek his revenge -- but then he gets caught up in the quest for this cruicible."

Still, adds the father of 16-year-old Stephanie and 6-year-old Wyatt with wife Nanci Chambers, "What's great about it is, it's a piece my son can watch "

When he completed the shoot, Elliott and family were setting their sites on a Bahamas trip again, when NBC's forthcoming "The Storm" miniseries came his way. That one finished production week before last.

Elliott Discusses “Knights of Bloodsteel” : Slice of SciFi

2009-03-17T18:16:00.000-04:00

Elliott Discusses “Knights of Bloodsteel” : Slice of SciFi
March 17, 2009 by Michael Hickerson
Had this in a Google alert:

Actor David James Elliott, who previously headlined CBS’s “JAG”, is starring in SciFi’s upcoming original mini-series, “Knights of Bloodsteel.”

Elliott recently spoke to TV Guide’s William Keck about the lead role and having to wear hair extensions to play the role of John Serragoth.

Serragoth wields swords to battle evil, fire-breathing dragons as forest-dwelling warrior out to avenge the death of his pregnant wife.

Elliott told Keck that filming has been intense, showed Keck a black and blue mark he received from a sword that “nearly slashed my eye out.” That would have left him looking much like his character’s chief adversary: the all-powerful Dragon Eye, a character David describes as “a whitish-gray demon with a third eye that opens and shoots out bolts of lightning.”

“Knights of Bloodsteel” airs on SciFi April 19 and 20.

NBC Summer Schedule

2009-03-12T19:48:00.001-04:00

Had this in a Google alert, parts about 'The Storm' are highlighted in red.

Categorized Network Press Releases
NBC Announces Summer Schedule, Pushes Season Finales to June

Posted on 12 March 2009 by Bill Gorman

NBC is hoping to boost the premiere week of ”The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” by pushing many of its show season finales into June. Read on for that, plus NBC’s summer schedule.

via NBC press release:

NBC’S SUMMER SCHEDULE PACKED WITH ORIGINAL SCRIPTED SERIES (’THE PHILANTHROPIST,”THE LISTENER’ AND ‘MERLIN’) AND ALTERNATIVE SHOWS PACED BY DEBUTS OF NEW ‘I’M A CELEBRITY…GET ME OUT OF HERE!’ AND ‘GREAT AMERICAN ROAD TRIP’ — PLUS RETURN OF TOP-RATED ‘AMERICA’S GOT TALENT’
“I’m a Celebrity?Get Me Out of Here!” to Be Stripped Over Four Weeks Beginning June 1
Season Finales of “Medium,” “Law & Order” and “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” ? Along with Debut of “The Listener” — Provide Momentum at 10 p.m. in Inaugural Week for “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” Beginning on June 1
Network Also Offers Eventful New Miniseries “Meteor” (June 7 and 14) and “The Storm” (July 19 and 26); “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” Episodes from USA Network Join NBC Lineup June 8
UNIVERSAL CITY, CALIF. ? March 12, 2009 ? NBC will serve up a sizzling menu of new and returning summer series — accented by all-new original scripted programming with the series premieres of “The Philanthropist,” “Merlin” and “The Listener” ? and paced by the new alternative series “I’m a Celebrity?Get Me Out of Here!” and “Great American Road Trip” plus the return of summer’s top-rated “America’s Got Talent.”
In a bold scheduling move, “I’m a Celebrity?Get Me Out of Here!,” based on the international hit from Granada America, will debut as a two-hour television event on Monday, June 1 (8-10 p.m. ET) and will be stripped over four weeks in June.
NBC’s season finales of “Medium,” Law & Order: SVU” and “Law & Order” and the premiere of “The Listener” will provide additional primetime momentum at 10 p.m. for the inaugural week of Conan O’Brien beginning Monday, June 1 (11:35 p.m. ? 12:35 a.m. ET).
NBC’s eventful summer will also include the action-packed original miniseries “Meteor” and “The Storm.” In addition, “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” episodes from USA Network will join the NBC lineup.
The announcements were made today by Ben Silverman, Co-Chairman, NBC Entertainment and Universal Media Studios.
“This summer will feature more original scripted programming than ever before, along with our #1 hit ‘America’s Got Talent’ and two new buzz-worthy reality shows,” said Silverman. “In addition, we’ll give Conan the best launch possible during his premiere week by slotting the season finales of some of our best dramas at 10 p.m.”
“I’m a Celebrity?Get Me Out of Here!” will air Monday through Thursdays for the first three weeks beginning June 1 (8-9 p.m. ET) and during the fourth week of June, the series will be telecast Monday through Wednesday (8-9 p.m. ET) with the finale on Wednesday, June 24 (8-9 p.m. ET).
“Great American Road Trip” ? newly announced today ? will debut on Wednesday, July 1 (8-9 p.m. ET) and will continue for eight weeks.
The popular “America’s Got Talent” will kick off its fourth season over two nights on Tuesday, June 23 (9-10 p.m. ET) and Wednesday, June 24 (9-10 p.m. ET). “The Philanthropist” premieres on Wednesday, June 24 (10-11 p.m. ET) while “Merlin” begins on Sunday, June 21 with a two-hour premiere (8-10 p.m. ET). The new drama series will also air from 8-10 p.m. on June 28 before resuming in its normal day and time on Sunday, July 5 (8-9 p.m. ET).
“Medium” will broadcast its season finale Monday, June 1 (10-11 p.m. ET), “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” will have its season finale on Tuesday, June 2 (10-11 p.m. ET) and “Law & Order” will unveil its season finale on Wednesday, June 3 (10-11 p.m. ET). The new drama “The Listener” will also debut that week on Thursday, June 4 (10-11 p.m. ET).
NBC illuminates the sky this summer with two major miniseries in “The Meteor” on Sunday, June 7 (9-11 p.m. ET) and Sunday, June 14 (9-11 p.m. ET) as well as “The Storm” for broadcast on Sunday, July 19 (9-11 p.m. ET) and Sunday, July 26 (9-11 p.m. ET).
In addition, episodes from the eighth season of “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (now telecast on USA) will begin on NBC on Monday, June 8 (9-10 p.m. ET)
“Dateline NBC” will begin broadcasts on Mondays (10-11 p.m. ET) beginning June 8.
The annual “Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular” will take place on July 4 (9-10 p.m. ET).
(Show descriptions are provided below):
“I’m a Celebrity?Get Me Out of Here!” is the ultimate Swiss Family Robinson as ten celebrities are dropped into the heart of the jungle to face fun and comedic challenges designed to test their survival skills. America is the puppetmaster, controlling their favorite celebrities by putting them into challenges and tasks to win food, supplies and luxury items. In each episode, friendships will be tested, hilarity will ensue and viewers will decide which celebrities stay or go. The last remaining star will be crowned King or Queen of the Jungle, winning a substantial cash prize for their favorite charity.
The participating celebrities will be announced at a later date. The series is produced by Granada America.
“Great American Road Trip” from BBC Worldwide, is a hilarious and relatable new series where seven families from divergent backgrounds are selected take the journey of a lifetime. Over eight episodes, the families will travel through cities large and small all while competing in a medley of humorous challenges that will ultimately lead one family to victory. These comical, clever challenges are set against iconic American backdrops like the majestic Grand Canyon and the regal Washington Monument. Along the way, our families and our viewers will also discover quirky American landmarks ranging from the World’s Largest Chair to a sneaker the size of a car. Although family fun is the centerpiece of the show, the competition is real and one family will be eliminated each week based on their performance in the challenges. Ultimately, only one family will return home with a dream prize that perfectly compliments their extraordinary and memorable summer vacation.
“The Philanthropist” chronicles the heroic adventures of a billionaire playboy turned vigilante philanthropist. James Purefoy (”Rome”) stars as Teddy Rist, a successful tycoon whose life is forever changed after rescuing a young boy during a hurricane in the Nigerian town he was visiting. Rist is spontaneous and impulsive and quickly decides to channel his passion, power and money into helping those in need.
Rist’s actions are not just about helping others ? he is purging his soul to help exorcise the inner demons which have been festering ever since his young son died and he lost everything he truly loved. Since the death of his son, the danger and risk to his life is the only way he can feel genuinely alive and he’ll do anything in order to achieve his goals.
A man who has everything but can feel nothing, Rist keeps his adrenaline pumping by putting his business head and money-making skills to good use through bargaining with the self-righteous, making deals with drug barons and trading with the nefarious.
“The Philanthropist” boasts a heady cast of established and up-and-coming talent. Purefoy takes on the lead role of Teddy Rist, Jesse L. Martin (”Law & Order”) plays Teddy’s business partner and friend, Philip Maidstone, and Neve Campbell (”Burn Up”) plays Olivia, Philip’s wife who also runs the charitable foundation set up by the two billionaires.
Purefoy, Martin and Campbell are supported by a tremendous line up of names from both sides of the Atlantic including Lindy Booth (”The 4400″), Michael Kenneth Williams (”The Wire”), Krista Allen (”The Starter Wife”) and newcomer James Albrecht.
From Universal Media Studios, “The Philanthropist” is a Carnival Films production in association with The Levinson/Fontana Company and Original Media. Tom Fontana, Barry Levinson, Peter Horton, Charlie Corwin, Gareth Neame and Teri Weinberg serve as executive producers.
“Merlin” is a new 13-part drama series that updates the story of the infamous sorcerer of Arthurian legend for a new audience in the mythical city of Camelot, in a time before history began. In this fantastical realm, Merlin is a young man gifted with extraordinary magical powers who arrives in the kingdom and quickly makes enemies, including the heir to Uther’s crown, the headstrong Prince Arthur. But guided by Uther’s wise physician, Gaius, Merlin is soon using his talents not just to survive but also to unlock Camelot’s mystical secrets.
Starring Colin Morgan as Merlin, Bradley James as Prince Arthur, Anthony Head as King Uther, Richard Wilson as Gaius, Katie McGrath as Morgana and Angel Coulby as Gwen, “Merlin” is an imaginative new twist on a legend that is as old as time. “Merlin” was created and produced by Shine Television (executive-produced by Julian Murphy and Johnny Capps) for the BBC and FremantleMedia Enterprises. FME holds the exclusive licensing, home entertainment (excluding U.K.) and distribution rights to “Merlin” and has invested in the series alongside Shine Television and BBC One.
“The Listener” centers on Toby Logan (Craig Olejnik, “The Timekeeper”), a 25-year-old paramedic who has a big secret — he’s a telepath. Until now, Toby kept his ability hidden, exploring its possibilities only with his long time mentor and confidant, Dr. Ray Mercer (Colm Feore, “24: Redemption”). As he makes the rounds with his energetic paramedic partner — “Oz” Bey (Ennis Esmer, “Young People F*#king”), “The Listener” follows Toby as he tries to help people in crisis, and in the process, unravel the truth about his past. While his professional life is in check, Toby’s personal life could use its own rescue. And with the help of Detective Charlie Marks (Lisa Marcos, “Diary of a Mad Black Woman”) and his E.R. doctor/ex-girlfriend Olivia Fawcett (Mylène Dinh-Robic, “Da Vinci’s City Hall”), Toby realizes his gift can help others.
“The Listener” was developed by award-winning Shaftesbury Films and Canadian broadcaster CTV and produced in association with CTV, FIC and NBC. The executive producers include: International Emmy Award winner Christina Jennings and Scott Garvie for Shaftesbury Films; Michael Amo (”Blessed Stranger: After Flight 111″); Tom Chehak (”ReGenesis”) and Clement Virgo (”Poor Boy’s Game”). “The Listener” is distributed internationally by Shine-Reveille.
“America’s Got Talent” — NBC’s hit summer series from “American Idol” producers
FremantleMedia North America and Simon Cowell’s SYCO Television — returns with the hottest performers from across the country ready to compete in the blockbuster reality show’s fourth season. The multi-talented entertainer-producer-comedian Nick Cannon joins as the new host. The series will continue to be presided over by the explosive combination of celebrity judges Sharon Osbourne, Piers Morgan and David Hasselhoff. With the talent search open to acts of all ages, “America’s Got Talent” has brought the variety format back to the forefront of American culture by showcasing performers from across the country — all hoping to win America’s hearts and the $1 million prize. As a result, the series is a true celebration of the American spirit.
“America’s Got Talent” is produced by FremantleMedia North America and Simon Cowell’s SYCO Television. Cowell, Cecile Frot-Coutaz (”American Idol”), Jason Raff (”Clash of the Choirs”), James Sunderland (”Dancing on Ice”) and Scott St. John (”Deal or No Deal”) serve as executive producers.

In “Meteor,” two massive rocks, tumbling debris older than the solar system itself, collide in space. The course has been altered. The target is Earth. In a remote observatory, Dr. Lehman (Emmy winner Christopher Lloyd, “Back to the Future”), discovers a meteor approximately three times the size of Mount Everest barreling its way towards Earth. His devoted young assistant Imogene O’Neill (Marla Sokoloff, “The Practice”) feverishly types in the coordinates only to find the previously identified meteor named Kassandra is headed their way. It’s only the beginning of their troubles as showers of smaller meteorites begin to lay waste to major cities around the globe.
The impending disaster brings out the best and the worst sides in people as they cope by either lending a helping hand or taking advantage of the situation. In a small California town, a Police Chief (Golden Globe Nominee Stacy Keach, “Prison Break”) struggles to calm a panicky group of citizens. Miles away, his son Jack, a detective (Golden Globe nominee Billy Campbell, “Once and Again”), finds himself caught in the middle of the most difficult arrest of his career with the ill-timed transfer of a very dangerous psychopath named Stark (Michael Rooker, “JFK”). Then there’s the skeptical Dr. Chetwyn (Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Jason Alexander, “Seinfeld”) who may be the only chance Lehman and O’Neill have to get their findings to the proper authorities in time to deflect Kassandra.
Time is running out in “Meteor,” in which eye-popping effects, explosive human drama, and hair-raising action combine to create a suspenseful, thrilling and dramatic new miniseries event from RHI Entertainment.

In “The Storm,” also from RHI Entertainment, billionaire Robert Terrell (Golden Globe and Emmy nominee Treat Williams, “Everwood”) has fulfilled a lifelong obsession and made history with “weather creation” technology though his Atmospheric Research Institute. But during a test run, a blast of energy is sent into the ionosphere with unexpected results. The experiments hurtle the planet towards destruction?hurricanes change course, winds go instantly from hot to cold, torrential rains bring regions to a standstill, and buildings crumble into ruins under explosive lightening storms. It’s only the beginning.

Only one scientist, Dr. Jonathan Kirk (James Van Der Beek, “Dawson’s Creek”), steps forward to demand that the system be terminated. Terrell is undeterred and continues to push his team to move forward. His motives for the initially philanthropic technology is in truth far more opportunistic. With government cohort, Army General Braxton (David James Elliott, “JAG”), Terrell envisions the technology as a key military weapon to ensure super power status.
Realizing he’s powerless to stop the project by himself, Kirk contacts news reporter Danni Wilson (Teri Polo, “Meet the Parents”) with plans to expose Terrell and explain the catastrophic weather to a bewildered and frightened world. It’s a task that won’t come easy, as Kirk quickly discovers the motives and loyalties of authorities are not in his favor. As devastating and extreme weather events hammer down on every corner of the Earth, it will be a race against time to shut down the system before the edge of extinction.

Featuring a cast of television favorites including Emmy Winner John Larroquette (”Boston Legal”), Luke Perry (”Beverly Hills, 90210″) and Marisol Nichols (”24″), “The Storm” is the ultimate tale of man against nature and an epic miniseries event posing a tantalizing and terrifying what-if scenario.

In the eighth season of “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” on USA, Oscar and Emmy nominee Jeff Goldblum joined the cast that includes Vincent D’Onofrio, Kathryn Erbe, Julianne Nicholson and Eric Bogosian. Goldblum plays Zach Nichols, a detective born and bred on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. The series takes viewers into the minds of its criminals while following the psychological approaches the Major Case Squad uses to solve its worst offenses. The squad investigates high-profile homicide cases, often involving some of the cities most high-powered people, including local government officials, the financial sect as well as celebrities. Guest stars this season include Academy Award nominee Lynn Redgrave (”Gods and Monsters”), Eric Balfour (”24″), Shawn Hatosy (”Numb3rs”), Piper Perabo (”Coyote Ugly”) and Janel Moloney (”The West Wing”)

A summary of NBC’s new summer lineup follows (new series capitalized; all times ET):
MONDAY, JUNE 1“I’M A CELEBRITY?GET ME OUT OF HERE!” — premiere (8-9 p.m.)“Medium” season finale (10-11 p.m.)
TUESDAY, JUNE 2“Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” — season finale (10-11 p.m.)
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 3“Law & Order” — season finale (10-11 p.m.)
THURSDAY, JUNE 4“THE LISTENER” — premiere (10-11 p.m.)
SUNDAY, JUNE 7 and JUNE 14“METEOR” — miniseries (9-11 p.m.)
MONDAY, JUNE 8“Law & Order: Criminal Intent” (NBC season premiere; 9-10 p.m.)“Dateline NBC” (10-11 p.m.)
SUNDAY, JUNE 21“MERLIN” (premiere 8-10 p.m.; June 28 airs 8-10 p.m.; July 5 resumes regular time 8-9 p.m.)
TUESDAY, JUNE 23 and WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24“AMERICA’S GOT TALENT” (9-10 p.m. both nights)
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 24“THE PHILANTHROPIST” ? premieres (10-11 p.m.)
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1“GREAT AMERICAN ROAD TRIP” — premieres (8-9 p.m.)
SATURDAY, JULY 4“MACY’S 4TH OF JULY FIREWORKS SPECTACULAR” (9-10 p.m.)
SUNDAY, JULY 19 and SUNDAY, JULY 26“THE STORM” ? miniseries (9-11 p.m.)

ABC nabs rights to German miniseries Impact | Entertainment | Television | Reuters

2009-03-06T18:40:00.000-05:00

ABC nabs rights to German miniseries Impact Entertainment Television Reuters

By Scott Roxborough

COLOGNE, Germany (Hollywood Reporter) - ABC has acquired the U.S. TV rights to "Impact," a four-hour miniseries about a meteor that strikes the moon and sends it on a collision course with Earth.
NBC Universal's Sci Fi Channel has picked up second-window rights to the disaster drama, which stars David James Elliott, Natasha Henstridge, Steven Culp and James Cromwell and is directed by Michael Rohl ("Eureka").

ABC is expected to air it in the summer as a limited series.

The $14 million miniseries was produced by Germany's Tandem Communications, Jaffe/Braunstein Entertainment and Muse Entertainment and sold by Tandem.

Sci Fi has a strong track record with Tandem shows, with the futuristic tale "Lost City Raiders" and fantasy epic "Ring of the Nibelungs" having scored ratings gold for the channel.

The sale to ABC is a high-water mark for Tandem, which has carved a niche in high-end TV events by combining international financing with U.S.-bankable casts and scripts.

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment has acquired U.S. video rights to "Impact."

(Editing by Sheri Linden at Reuters)

Breaking News - Sci Fi to Bow "Knights of Bloodsteel" in April | TheFutonCritic.com

2009-02-16T18:54:00.000-05:00

Breaking News - Sci Fi to Bow "Knights of Bloodsteel" in April TheFutonCritic.com

Had this in a newsletter. Can't wait to see it!

LOS ANGELES (thefutoncritic.com) -- Sci Fi has booked "Knights of Bloodsteel," its latest mini-series event, for Sunday, April 19 and Monday, April 20 at 9:00/8:00c, network sources have confirmed to the site.

The four-hour project, previously known as both "Mirabilis" and "Dragons of Black Roc," stars David James Elliott, Natassia Malthe and Christopher Lloyd. It marks the cable channel's first mini-series since 2007's Emmy-winning "Tin Man."

Here's the network's official description:

"Once a paradise fueled by the all-powerful sorcery-grade metal known as bloodsteel, the distant land of Mirabilis begins to decay as supplies of the supernatural substance dwindle. The evil warlord Dragon Eye fights to gain control of the world's supply of bloodsteel, which he will use to rule Mirabilis. But, an ancient prophecy propels four ordinary citizens to battle Dragon Eye. Their quest is to find the fabled Crucible - source of all bloodsteel - before the corrupt forces of darkness destroy their world."

What do Supernatural, Reaper and TTSCC have in common? Their director is making an IMPACT

2009-02-11T22:06:00.000-05:00

What do Supernatural, Reaper and TTSCC have in common? Their director is making an IMPACT

Got in a Google alert.

Posted on Wednesday, February 11th, 2009 16:55:26 GMT by: agentorangePosted under: post apocalyptic movie tv news scifi thriller gallery

So what makes director Mike Rohl's upcoming apocalyptic two part mini-series, Impact, different from other post Deep Impact giant-rock-from-space films? Why, gravity fluctuations of course! It's actually kind of a cool concept. What if the moon got hit by a meteor (or a "brown dwarf" as the below synopsis calls it, heh) and not the earth as we're so used to seeing? How would such a cosmic misstep effect us here on the planet? Yes there's a certain Armageddon quality to the story as scientists send a team up to the moon to try and figure out how to fix the problem, but with its focus on people trying to cope with the disruptions of earth-bound anomalies, Impact might just prove to be an interesting addition to the ever growing genre. We should be learning more about Impact soon as the 14 million dollar production has recently been completed. It stars an all star cast of Natasha Henstridge, David James Elliott, the legendary James Cromwell and Steven Culp. Because it's coming from the same distributors as last years Lost City Raiders, I imagine it'll premiere on SCIFI as a 2-part event. No trailer yet unfortunately but we've got the whole synopsis and a large gallery of stills after the break. While the entire world watches the largest meteor shower in 10,000 years, a brown dwarf, hidden by the meteor field, smashes into the moon in a tremendous explosion of rock and debris. Fragments of the moon itself, penetrate Earth's atmosphere and make impact. Even though the initial damage is minimal, nerves are frayed throughout the planet. Then strange anomalies begin to manifest themselves on Earth. It starts small - cell phone disruptions, unusual static charges and odd tidal behavior.The world's leading scientists begin piecing together evidence that suggests the moon's properties, and its orbit, may have been permanently altered. Their fears are realized when the anomalies increase to the point where the effect of "simulated" gravity is being manipulated by increased electromagnetic surges coming from the moon. People, cars and other objects are rendered momentarily weightless in random, isolated areas around the globe. Alex, Maddie, Roland and the rest of their team soon discover something far worse - the moon's new orbit has put it on a collision course with Earth!The world now has 39 days to stop it or Earth, and all of mankind, will perish.

Click on the article link and you will also see some photos that were posted with the article.

'Gooby' release on DVD

2009-01-27T21:15:00.000-05:00

Business: 68 New Releases: Rachel Getting Married, Watchmen: The Complete Motion Comic…

Got this in an alert. Pre-order date is June 2, and a release date of July 7. Whoo hoooo!!! The day before my birthday! LOL! Now I know what I'm going to ask for!

Hit the Greens to Benefit Healthy Child on February 13th! | Healthy Child Healthy World

2009-01-20T23:09:00.000-05:00

Hit the Greens to Benefit Healthy Child on February 13th! Healthy Child Healthy World

Tuesday, January 20, 2009 Posted by Becca Singer

Healthy Child Healthy World has been chosen to be the beneficiary of the TRI Mark Golf Celebrity Challenge. This annual event hosted by former New England Patriots Cheerleader Heidi Fielek features two Celebrity Golfers who will play head to head in a made for TV event to be aired on the Golf Channel. 2009’s Match Play competitors are the NBA’s 14 year veteran Gerald Wilkins vs. David James Elliott from the hit TV show JAG.

Celebrities Tee off at 8 am, followed by lunch at 1:30pm at Trump National's Café Pacific with celebrities, winning auction bidders and guests. Individual tickets are $350. Another way to attend this exciting match is by bidding on two fantastic auction items.We thank TRI Mark for this opportunity. TRI Mark Golf serves individuals, families and communities with the integrity, passion and commitment that has made the game of golf so great. Their brand is known worldwide as a symbol of high quality, performance and value in the world of golf.

Thank you TRI Mark!

Had this in a Google alert.

Merry Christmas David James Elliott and family

2008-12-21T01:09:00.001-05:00

JAG DVD news: Announcement for JAG - The 8th Season | TVShowsOnDVD.com

2008-12-15T23:06:00.001-05:00

JAG DVD news: Announcement for JAG - The 8th Season TVShowsOnDVD.com

Thanks to my friend Carolyn for sharing this.

A little 'Gooby' news

2008-11-18T21:20:00.002-05:00

Had this in a Google alert, a very interesting article about Wilson Coneybeare, the man who is producing 'Gooby'. Looks like an early Spring release. Here is a link to the article:

http://www.barrieadvance.com/barrieadvance/article/122307

Thunderbird Films Inc. - Dragons of Black Roc - Mon Nov 10, 2008

2008-11-10T23:27:00.000-05:00

Thunderbird Films Inc. - Dragons of Black Roc - Mon Nov 10, 2008

Click on the link to view the trailer. Thanks to my friend, Dianne, and
the person that passed it on to her.

http://www.thunderbirdfilms.net/s/Programs-DragonsOfBlackRoc.asp

And what is really nice is that the trailer can be downloaded.

TV, eh? » The Guard returns with cast changes

2008-10-16T18:09:00.000-04:00

TV, eh? » The Guard returns with cast changes

Posted by: Diane in The Guard

From a media release:
“The Guard” - Global Television’s Hit Original Series Returns to Primetime
WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29 - 10PM ET/PT
ROGER CROSS (”24″) AND GEMINI NOMINEE SONYA SOLOMAA (”DURHAM COUNTY”) JOIN HIGH CALIBRE ENSEMBLE CAST
CANADIAN DRAMA SERIES NOW SOLD IN OVER 30 TERRITORIES AND COUNTING

Following its impressive debut as the number one new Original drama series of last Spring*, Global’s The Guard makes its highly anticipated return to primetime with an all-new instalment of 15 episodes. Premiering October 29 - 10pm ET/PT, The Guard completes the network’s already robust Wednesday night line-up of fan favourites Bones (8pm) and NCIS (9pm).

“We couldn’t be more pleased with the growth and direction of the series – from the ramped up storylines to the dangerous and thrilling stunts, the sheer amount of action and drama alone is enough to keep our viewers engaged and at the edge of their seats,” said Christine Shipton, SVP, Drama and Factual Content. “We’re extremely excited that the universal appeal of our homegrown series has already garnered attention amongst the major markets, and we’re confident the interest will only continue to climb.”

Captain Miro Da Silva (Steve Bacic) along with Rescue Specialists Andrew Vanderlee (Jeremy Guilbaut), Carly Greig (Zoie Palmer) and First Mate Laura Nelson (Gemini nominee for Durham County, Sonya Salomaa) are back saving lives on the water while trying to keep the storms in their personal lives at bay. Turning up the action and turning out the star power, the new season of The Guard features Roger Cross (24) as Port Hallet’s new Officer in Charge, Jim McGregor with returning special guest David James Elliott (JAG) as David Renwald. Making waves in international waters, The Guard has successfully sold in over 30 territories including France, Poland, Hungary and the Middle East, with recent sales to A&E in Latin America, MNET in South Africa, YLE in Finland and RTBF in Belgium.

PREMIERE EPISODE SYNOPSIS“The Hold”: Miro breaks the rules when he takes the MLB on a chase of a battered trawler and ends up rescuing the victims of a human trafficking operation. Andrew’s marriage is threatened when he comes clean to Amy about kissing Carly. *Source: BBM-NMR Meter Data, Adults 18-49 (Sep 10/07-May 25/08)

Had this in a newsletter.

david james elliott and jag talk radio show | BuzzWorthy Radio: David James Elliott!

2008-10-04T21:06:00.000-04:00

david james elliott and jag talk radio show BuzzWorthy Radio: David James Elliott!:

UPCOMING SHOW: 10/6/2008 10:00 PM

"Former JAG star, David James Elliott, will be appearing on BuzzWorthy Radio this week. Hear what David has to say about his role on the former CBS series, as well as what he has been up to since the show's cancellation, such as a new show that has been picked up on the Sci-Fi channel!"

Had this in a Google alert! Very cool!

Here's a link to the site:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/buzzworthyradio/2008/10/07/BuzzWorthy-Radio-David-James-Elliott

Enjoy!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAVID!!!!

2008-09-21T00:23:00.002-04:00

Hope it's a great day with many more to come!
Your fan,
JD

'Roc' rolls to Canadian pay nets

2008-09-12T22:32:00.000-04:00

'Roc' rolls to Canadian pay nets
Reunion Pictures sells fantasy miniseries
By Etan Vlessing
Sept 12, 2008, 06:16 PM ET

TORONTO -- Reunion Pictures has sold the fantasy miniseries "Dragons of the Roc" to domestic pay TV channels Movie Central and the Movie Network after an earlier sale to the Sci-Fi Channel stateside, the Canadian producer said Friday.The sci-fi project, which stars David James Elliott, Natassia Malthe and Christopher Lloyd, portrays ordinary people attempting to stop an evil warlord from taking control of their world.

"Dragons of Black Roc" is distributed internationally by RHI Entertainment.

Had this in a Google alert from Hollywood Reporter.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3iebfd8fe8494c12b2c8f5224ba6de98d2

'Gooby' news

2008-09-02T00:01:00.002-04:00

Thanks to my friend in Germany, here is a link to another blog with news about a 'Gooby' release in the fall of this year to the big screen!!! Awesome!

http://ryandandiary.blogspot.com/

I am definitely going to be staying tuned to that blog for more information!!!

The Ace Film Festival

2008-09-01T23:38:00.001-04:00

Thanks to Dan for sending me this e-vite!!! Hope it does as well or better than it did at the Feel Good Film Festival!!!

'The Rainbow Tribe' won an award at the festival!

2008-08-25T21:35:00.002-04:00

According to an email I had from Dan Frisch today, the movie won the Audience Award for Best Picture at the Feel Good Film Festival!!! Whooo hoooooo!!!! Congratulations to cast and crew, producer/writer, and every one involved in the making of such an inspiring story!

Fall premiere of 'The Guard'

2008-08-25T02:59:00.002-04:00

In my TV-eh? newsletter, they have posted the premiere date of 'The Guard'. It will be aired October 29th on Global Television. DJE still has one or two episodes that he will be in.

Feel Good Film Festival... DJE will be attending!!!

2008-08-19T17:26:00.001-04:00

Just had this in an email from Dan Frisch...

It has recently announced that David James Elliott will be attending the opening night of the Feel Good Film Festival, which is featuring The Rainbow Tribe. Tickets for the opening night can be purchased at http://feelgood.withoutabox.com/festivals/event.php?event_id=9942&schedule_id=4081 or at www.therainbowtribemovie.com (fans will want to purchase the opening night pass). If you can please help get the word out, it will be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Dan

Although I can't attend, I hope many fans will!!!

Final cover art for Season 7 of 'JAG'

2008-08-17T00:28:00.002-04:00

Thanks to my friend from down under, here is the final cover art.

Press release on 'Mirabilis' and Christopher Lloyd

2008-08-14T16:14:00.002-04:00

Got this in thefutoncritic.com newsletter:

EMMY WINNER CHRISTOPHER LLOYD JOINS SCI FI'S MIRABILIS
Released by Sci Fi

[NOTE: The following article is a press release issued by the aforementioned network and/or company. Any errors, typos, etc. are attributed to the original author. The release is reproduced solely for the dissemination of the enclosed information.]

EMMY WINNER CHRISTOPHER LLOYD JOINS SCI FI'S MIRABILIS

New York, NY August 14,2008

Three-time Emmy winner Christopher Lloyd has joined the cast of SCI FI Channel's upcoming 4-hour fantasy/adventure miniseries Mirabilis (working title). Lloyd will play Tesselink, a venerable senior elf and accomplished master of bloodsteel sorcery who aids his granddaughter Perfidia (Natassia Malthe) and a band of knights in their quest for the crucible that may save Mirabilis. He is best known for his roles as Emmett "Doc" Brown in the Back to the Future trilogy and as Reverend Jim Ignatowski on television's Taxi.

Once a paradise fueled by the all-powerful sorcery-grade metal known as bloodsteel, the distant land of Mirabilis begins to decay as supplies of the supernatural substance dwindle. The evil warlord Dragon Eye fights to gain control of the world's supply of bloodsteel, which he will use to rule Mirabilis. But, an ancient prophecy propels four ordinary citizens to battle Dragon Eye. Their quest is to find the fabled Crucible source of all bloodsteel before the corrupt forces of darkness destroy their world. Mirabilis stars David James Elliott as protagonist John Serrogoth and Natassia Malthe as Perfidia. Emmy nominated Sam Egan (Sanctuary, Jeremiah, The Outer Limits) wrote the script.

Reunion Pictures (Lisa Richardson, Matthew O'Connor, Tom Rowe), RHI Entertainment, (Robert Halmi, Sr. and Robert Halmi, Jr.) and Industry Entertainment (Keith Addis and Andrew Deane) are producing the miniseries. RHI Entertainment will distribute the project internationally.
Reunion Pictures (www.reunionpictures.ca) is a Canadian-based company that develops and finances high quality television and multi-platform properties. Launched in 2004 with over a billion dollars worth of award-winning filmed entertainment, Reunion Pictures has been nominated multiple times for Emmys and Golden Globes, and has been awarded Genies, Gemini's and the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award for Excellence in Television. Reunion Pictures' list of credits includes a # 1 US box office release (Butterfly Effect), #1 US network miniseries (10.5), and two #1 cable miniseries (Tin Man and Earthsea, produced with RHI Entertainment for SCI FI Channel).

RHI Entertainment (NASDAQ: RHIE) develops, produces and distributes new made-for-television movies, miniseries and other television programming worldwide, and is the leading provider of new long-form television content in the United States. Under the leadership of Robert Halmi, Sr. and Robert Halmi, Jr., RHI has produced and distributed thousands of hours of quality television programming, and RHI's productions have received more than 100 Emmy Awards. During 2007, RHI developed, produced and distributed 43 new television movies and miniseries to broadcast and cable networks around the world. In addition to the development, production and distribution of new content, RHI owns rights to approximately 1,000 titles, or over 3,500 broadcast hours of long-form television programming, which are licensed to broadcast and cable networks and new media outlets globally.

Keith Addis and Andrew Deane are partners at Industry Entertainment, a leading talent management and production company that has produced award winning films including The Player, Requiem for a Dream and Quills. Industry Entertainment is currently Executive Producing Fear Itself for NBC, a re-purposed version of Industry's acclaimed anthology series, Masters of Horror, which aired on Showtime, and featured one-hour movies from such illustrious genre filmmakers as John Carpenter, Takashi Miike, Joe Dante, John Landis, Dario Argento, Tobe Hopper, Stuart Gordon, Brad Anderson and series creator Mick Garris himself. Industry also executive-produced the recent anthology series Masters of Science Fiction for ABC. Keith Addis and Andrew Deane also manage distinguished clients in the literary and talent fields.

SCI FI Channel is a television network where "what if" is what's on. SCI FI fuels the imagination of viewers with original series and events, blockbuster movies and classic science fiction and fantasy programming, as well as a dynamic Web site (www.scifi.com) and magazine. Launched in 1992, and currently in 93 million homes, SCI FI Channel is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies.

Christopher Lloyd joins "Mirabilis"

2008-08-14T02:23:00.002-04:00

Had this in a Google alert from broadcastnewsroom.com:

By Kimberly Nordyke

LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - Emmy-winning actor Christopher Lloyd, whose many film and television credits include "Back to the Future" and "Taxi," has been cast in Sci Fi Channel's miniseries "Mirabilis."

The story centers on four knights who must save their great land of Mirabilis.

Cast opposite David James Elliott, Lloyd will play one of the knights, Tesselink, a venerated senior elf who is an accomplished master of bloodsteel sorcery.

Reuters/Hollywood Reporter

Some of the story behind 'The Rainbow Tribe'

2008-08-13T23:29:00.003-04:00

Thanks to a lovely email from Mr. Dan Frisch, writer/producer, I'm honored to share some of the story behind the movie... since this was a personal email, I do ask that it not be shared elsewhere without either his or my permission. Thank you and enjoy!

Hi J,

Thank you so much for your support, I checked out your link and just love it. I have been involved in many studio movies, it is rare when I delve into something independent, but I have been committed to this film for 17 years. It is inspired by my camp counselor back in 1973, Jim Rosenberg, who sadly lost his battle to stomach cancer at the age of 20 in 1974. David's performance is a grand tribute to his life as are all of the performances in the film.

I financed the film personally, and while it is always nice to get your money back-- I didn't get into this for the money, I did as a means of saying goodbye to someone who meant so much to me and also in the belief that this film would positively affect so many people... if only it could reach them-- and reach them is my commitment. In fairness to Jim, to DJE and everyone involved (fans alike), I must stay committed to getting this film released theatrically in the U.S. and hope that it will become something seen and enjoyed throughout the world.

Everything that you and all of the fans of the movie are doing only helps us in that effort. I always feel that "right" is more important than "right now," so please, keep being a fan and think positively for the film's release theatrically-- if we all collectively will it, then I am certain it will happen.

It is a special film that is made in tribute to Jim Rosenberg and for all of you.

One other thing I will share with you is a little back story captured in an email between myself and Jim's parents who are now in their 90's-- it wasn't until this year that I told them this film was made with their son's loving memory in mind.

Keep up the good work and support, the more vocal the better (like constituents to politicians)-- we are all in this together and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Below are the emails between myself and Jim's parents recently (and as a note, both Jim and his brother were adopted):

-----Original Message-----

From Abe and Sis Rosenberg:
Hi Dan Sorry we missed your phone call Im hard of hearing and would have trouble conversing with you however I plan to call you onthe relay if you know what that is. We are very excited about your moviefeaturing Jim it is very dificult for me to travel because I have trouble walkingso as much as we would like to be there we will have to wait for the dvd. I dontrecall the realationship between you and Jim.but I know how much Jim lovedkids he was a very compassionate person and was unusally great to anyone thatneeded help. It has been over 30 years since Jim died and His mom and mestoped thinkig abd missing him, he was an uniique person, and a good person ason we could always love. We would love to know more about you anything youcould tell us,sincerelyAbe & Sis Rosenberg

-----Original Message-----From Dan Frisch
Dear Abe and Sis,
I am sorry for taking so long in gettingback to you, it has really been a busy year to this point, finishingthe movieand other business affairs, and this was something that I did not wantto rush.In 1973 I attended Camp Thunderbird for thefirst time, I was 9 years-old and homesick. I was a quiet kid, kind ofliked being on my own, (Jim nicknamed me Orphie, like an orphan, I wasa little different from the others, probably reminded Jim of himself).Jim had the nickname Lurch, and he was the only counselor I have everremembered. There are many profound "firsts" in our lives, many of them memorable,I remember Jim as the first friend I ever had in my life.As homesick as I was leaving my folks whenI attended camp that summer, I was equally homesick, leaving Jim, mycabin mates and Camp Thunderbird. Many friendships were made that summer in ourcabin, Jim had everything to do with that. His kind and gentle way wasinfectious and impressionable.After leaving Camp Thunderbird that summer, and as I had done on so many prior occasions,

I asked my mom if I had received any mail-- she always responded with "well did you write anybody?!"However, sure enough, one day a letter reached me a few months aftercamp and it was from Jim. He spoke of going on a very long, difficult canoe tripwith his friend and counselor mate "Bajou." The letter was the kind thatcan only come from your heart, it was detailed and meaningful. Jim and Iexchanged several letters throughout the year, but as next summer'scamp drew nearer, the letters stopped. It was in the middle of the next summer,disappointed that Lurch did not return, that Bajou pulled me aside andtold me that Jim had passed away.That day has lived with me. I knew how much I meant to Jim, but I was a 9-year-old boy
and pretty much kept to myself-- I never knew if Jim knew how much he meant to me. I was alsosorry that I did not get a chance to say goodbye to him or to let him know howmuch I enjoyed his friendship.I kept his memory with me and decided oneday to say goodbye in my own way. One day, 18 yearsago, I contacted Camp Thunderbird and told them I was returningto be a counselor-- to live in Jim's shoes so-to-speak. It was ameaningful summer and I had fantastic kids.

Prior to going back to camp that summer, I was working in New York
as an accountant on a television show, I was 26 at the time (today I am 43).Immediately after camp, I was called to work on a film in the south of Texas.

The movie's financing was falling apart, and I found myself in the middle of nowhere
with more time on my hands than I knew what to do with, so I sat down put pen to paper and wrote amovie in memory of Jim. Like many writers I imagined the story andjust let my heart go with the emotion that has been with me all theseyears.18 years later and having saved up enough experience and money, I spent my entire life's fortunes
on making a film called "The Rainbow Tribe." Simply put, the film it is about the one thing Ihave always remembered about Jim-- friendship.I am proud of the film and I think Jim would have really enjoyed it as well-- I have to believe his spiritlives within it.I would love to make my way to Kansas one of these days soon to meet you, Tom, perhaps his sister and to play foryou the film... I will try and make this happen sooner rather than later.At the moment I am hoping to find someone that will take a chance on the film and invest the money it takes toput it on the big screen. I believe there is a destiny to all of this, and trust in it, I am working on that destiny every day.I hope this email brings back your own fond, memories of Jim and the positive affect he had on people that werelucky enough know him.Wishing you the best of health and happiness,Dan Frisch

----- Original Message -----
From Abe and Sis Rosenberg:Hi Dan We l0ved your letter and hope we get to see you and the moviedont waittoo long as we may not br here.Jim was one of a kind and in his brieflife he touched many people not a day goes by that we do not miss andthink of him he was so special thanks again for your letter.Abe&Sis

----- Original Message -----
From Dan Frisch

Dear Abe, Sis, Tom and if you can pass this along to your sister/daughter,I am pleased to tell you that we will be screening The Rainbow Tribe at the Kansas International Film Festival the week of September 19-25th.I would also like for you all to be my guests if it is possible for me to attend, and as of now I am planning on it. If for some reason it is easier to see it in the comfort of your home, I will bring a DVD copy with me.I hope this email finds you all doing well and I will email you more information on the screening as it becomes available.Dan Frisch

Thank you again, Dan, for sharing this with me, and all of DJE's fans. And to those fans I say, this movie needs our support and encouragement. I posted links in my previous posts to the official site of the movie, and to the board on IMBD. Also please vote for the movie on the TCM site, a link which is also posted in a previous post on my blog.

New VoyForum for David James Elliott

2008-08-11T22:03:00.002-04:00

Some of DJE fans have started a new board about him! They are a great group of people! Please visit! They are having lots of interesting conversations, great photos, collages, and videos!!! Here is the link:

http://www.voy.com/217480/

Congratulations again to NancyE, Spudz, and Barbie on a great DJE site where all the fans can meet and talk about their favorite man!!!!

Support for 'The Rainbow Tribe'

2008-08-11T00:50:00.003-04:00

Please, support this movie release by either voting on the Turner Classic Movie site, or by posting on the board at IMBD.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1083470/

Mr. Frisch, producer/writer of the movie, is asking DJE fans from all over to vote for DVD release on TCM, but especially to post on the board at IMBD. So everyone, please make your voice heard and support this movie! If you've watched the trailer, you can't help but love the interactions between DJE and the rest of the cast! There is comedy, angst, romance... everything needed to make this movie a big hit all over the world! So come on, support this release! Make your voice heard!

Image from IMBD website.

More of 'The Rainbow Tribe'

2008-08-08T20:05:00.003-04:00

Thanks to an email from a friend in Germany, they are hoping to get people to promote the movie on their blogs, websites, etc. so here is my contribution. Be sure to check out the movie trailer on:

http://www.therainbowtribemovie.com

Also on Turner Classic Movies, you can vote for it to be released on DVD. You can only vote once, so please, anyone who reads this, don't abuse the vote because I'm sure it would ruin it for everyone. Thanks! Here is the link for that:

http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/title.jsp?stid=684515&atid=0&category=overview

I see the votes are up to 174... whoo hooo!!! Enjoy the trailer and please vote for the movie!

'The Rainbow Tribe' movie trailer

2008-08-04T01:28:00.003-04:00

WOW... went back to sites looking for updates and found that the official website for 'The Rainbow Tribe' now has a movie trailer posted. If the rest of the movie is as good as the preview, these people have a hit on their hands! Here is a link to the site:

http://www.therainbowtribemovie.com

I hope everyone that reads this enjoys it as much as I did! It's a fantastic looking movie!!!

Quinn is Over 'The Rainbow'

2008-07-31T17:38:00.002-04:00

Had this in a scifiwire newsletter yesterday, sorry just getting it posted today. Real life has been terrible lately.

July 30, 2008

'Eureka' co-star Ed Quinn told SCI FI Wire that he's completed work on the independent film The Rainbow Tribe, which he described as a family film with SF overtones.

"The Rainbow Tribe is a great little summer-camp movie," Quinn said in an interview while promoting the upcoming third season of SCI FI Channel's Eureka. "It's got Grayson Russell from Talladega Nights and David James Elliott. It's a sweet little movie. It's doing the festivals right now, and it's getting some really, really good response. I basically went to summer camp last summer and shot it."

Elliott stars as a terminally ill man who hopes to recapture some of his youth by returning to camp as a counselor. Over several weeks, he forges a bond with a number of the kids and enjoys a few humorous adventures.

"I play sort of the Yoda of the piece," Quinn said. "And there is kind of a fantasy element to it. It's the aurora borealis, and it deals with that camp mythology, what we thought was real when we were kids. Was it real? That feeling of invincibility we had, was it just youth or was there something to it, some gravity to that? It's a sweet little movie. I know they're really looking to get it a theatrical release. And there's even talk of doing a sequel before this one gets released, because the kids are growing up fast." --Ian Spelling

Link to original article: http://www.scifi.com/scifiwire/index.php?category=0&id=58171

Possible cover art for Season 7 of JAG

2008-07-30T00:45:00.002-04:00

Thanks to my friend, Carolyn, here may be a sneak peak of the cover art for Season 7. This may be subject to change according to TVshowsonDVD.com.

'Mirabilis'

2008-07-26T18:13:00.000-04:00

ACFC West Local 2020 CEP - Dragonsteel - Mini-Series

While searching for more information about 'Mirabilis', I came across this:

MIRABILIS Mini-series

DragonSteel Films, Inc.
Exec Prod:Lisa Richardson
Producer: Pascal Verschooris
Director: Philip Spink
DOP: David Moxness
PM: Simon Richardson
PC: Genessa Davis
PD: Peter Andringa
Transport Coord: Peter Gibson
Constr Coord: Shane O'Reilly
Key Scenic Art: Jodie Lavoie
Key SPFX: David Barkes
1034 264th Street
Langley, B.C. V4W 2H2
Ph: (604) 856-7366
Fax: (604) 856-7360
Prep: May 26, 2008
Shoot: July 15, 2008
Wrap: August 29, 2008

Breaking News - SCI FI CHANNEL GREENLIGHTS 4-HOUR FANTASY ADVENTURE MIRABILIS | TheFutonCritic.com

2008-07-20T21:37:00.000-04:00

Breaking News - SCI FI CHANNEL GREENLIGHTS 4-HOUR FANTASY ADVENTURE MIRABILIS TheFutonCritic.com

[NOTE: The following article is a press release issued by the aforementioned network and/or company. Any errors, typos, etc. are attributed to the original author. The release is reproduced solely for the dissemination of the enclosed information.]

SCI FI CHANNEL GREENLIGHTS 4-HOUR FANTASY ADVENTURE MIRABILIS
David James Elliott Set to Star

Beverly Hills, CA - July 20, 2008 -- SCI FI Channel has greenlit Mirabilis, (working title) a 4-hour fantasy adventure miniseries where heroes battle the forces of darkness set against a backdrop of knights, sorcerers and dragons. Set to star in the movie are David James Elliott (JAG) as protagonist John Serrogoth and Natassia Malthe (Elektra) as Perfidia.

Mirabilis will be produced by Reunion Pictures (Lisa Richardson, Matthew O'Connor, Tom Rowe) with RHI Entertainment, (Robert Halmi, Sr. and Robert Halmi, Jr.) and Industry Entertainment (Keith Addis and Andrew Deane) are also attached to the project. Emmy-nominated Sam Egan (Sanctuary, Jeremiah, The Outer Limits) wrote the script. RHI Entertainment will distribute the project internationally.

Once a paradise fueled by the all-powerful sorcery-grade metal known as bloodsteel, the distant land of Mirabilis begins to decay as supplies of the supernatural substance dwindle. The evil warlord Dragon Eye fights to gain control of the world's supply of bloodsteel, which he will use to rule Mirabilis. But, an ancient prophecy propels four ordinary citizens to battle Dragon Eye. Their quest is to find the fabled Crucible - source of all bloodsteel - before the corrupt forces of darkness destroy their world.

Reunion Pictures (www.reunionpictures.ca) is a Canadian-based company that develops and finances high quality television and multi-platform properties. Launched in 2004 with over a billion dollars worth of award-winning filmed entertainment, Reunion Pictures has been nominated multiple times for Emmys and Golden Globes, and has been awarded Genies, Gemini's and the prestigious George Foster Peabody Award for Excellence in Television. Reunion Pictures' list of credits includes a # 1 US box office release (Butterfly Effect), #1 US network mini-series (10.5), and two #1 cable mini-series (Tin Man and Earthsea, produced with RHI Entertainment for SCI FI Channel).

RHI Entertainment (NASDAQ: RHIE) develops, produces and distributes new made-for-television movies, miniseries and other television programming worldwide, and is the leading provider of new long-form television content in the United States. Under the leadership of Robert Halmi, Sr. and Robert Halmi, Jr., RHI has produced and distributed thousands of hours of quality television programming, and RHI's productions have received more than 100 Emmy Awards. During 2007, RHI developed, produced and distributed 43 new television movies and miniseries to broadcast and cable networks around the world. In addition to the development, production and distribution of new content, RHI owns rights to approximately 1,000 titles, or over 3,500 broadcast hours of long-form television programming, which are licensed to broadcast and cable networks and new media outlets globally.

Keith Addis and Andrew Deane are partners at Industry Entertainment, a leading talent management and production company that has produced award-winning films including The Player, Requiem for a Dream and Quills. Industry Entertainment is currently Executive Producing Fear Itself for NBC, a re-purposed version of Industry's acclaimed anthology series, Masters of Horror, which aired on Showtime, and featured one-hour movies from such illustrious genre filmmakers as John Carpenter, Takashi Miike, Joe Dante, John Landis, Dario Argento, Tobe Hopper, Stuart Gordon, Brad Anderson and series creator Mick Garris himself. Industry also executive-produced the recent anthology series Masters of Science Fiction for ABC. Keith Addis and Andrew Deane also manage distinguished clients in the literary and talent fields.

SCI FI Channel is a television network where "what if" is what's on. SCI FI fuels the imagination of viewers with original series and events, blockbuster movies and classic science fiction and fantasy programming, as well as a dynamic Web site (www.scifi.com ) and magazine. Launched in 1992, and currently in 93 million homes, SCI FI Channel is a network of NBC Universal, one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies.

Elliott, Malthe in Sci Fi miniseries

2008-07-18T16:54:00.001-04:00

Elliott, Malthe in Sci Fi miniseries

Had so many alerts about this when I checked my email! LOL! What fantastic news!!! This is my dream come true, David James Elliott as a knight... and on the Sci Fi Channel too!!!! Awesome! Now I'll include all the articles in one place here so they are easier to read! LOL!

Four-hour project was written by Sam Egan
By Nellie Andreeva
July 18, 2008, 12:00 AM ET

Sci Fi Channel has given the green light to a miniseries starring David James Elliott. Natassia Malthe also has been cast in the four-hour mini, tentatively titled "Mirabilis." The mini revolves around four knights who must save their great land of Mirabilis. Elliott will play John, a knight and wandering warrior avenging the killing of his family. Malthe will play Perfidia, another knight who also is John's love interest.

Sam Egan ("Jeremiah") wrote the script. The mini will be produced by Reunion Pictures, with RHI Entertainment and Industry Entertainment attached. RHI will distribute internationally.

Elliott, who next appears in the film "Lovesick" is repped by Gersh and McGowan Management.

Malthe recently appeared in ABC Family's "Fallen."

From Hollywoodreporter.com: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/news/e3i7d21992b375a28c63d14b73b80cca731

*********************************************************************************************
David James Elliott and Natassia Malthe Save Mirabilis

Sci Fi Channel has greenlit a four-hour miniseries starring David James Elliott and Natassia Malthe, tentatively titled Mirabilis. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the mini revolves around four knights who must save their great land of Mirabilis. Elliott will play John, a knight and wandering warrior avenging the killing of his family. Malthe will play Perfidia, another knight who also is John's love interest.

Sam Egan (Jeremiah) wrote the script.

From MovieWeb.com: http://www.movieweb.com/tv/news/34/30034.php
*************************************************************************************
Well all the other alerts are pretty much the same so I'm not going to keep reposting them. But as soon as I know more, I will!

WAY TO GO, DJE!!!!

JAG DVD news: Announcement for JAG - The Complete 7th Season | TVShowsOnDVD.com

2008-07-14T22:02:00.000-04:00

JAG DVD news: Announcement for JAG - The Complete 7th Season TVShowsOnDVD.com

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/JAG-Season-7/10060

Coming our way November 4th, 2008!!!!! Whoo hooo!!!!

As soon as the box art is out, I'll be posting it here!!!

Happy 4th of July!

2008-06-27T01:14:00.002-04:00

First I'd like to wish all the military a safe and happy holiday!

Secondly, USA Network will be having a JAG marathon on July 4th. Check your local listings for times!!! Whoo hoooo!!! It's about time!!!!

Sci-fi props up for auction

2008-06-23T15:51:00.000-04:00

Sci-fi props up for auction (had this in a Canada.com newsletter and a Google alert)

Peek at studio all part of the fun
Michael D. Reid, Times Colonist
Published: Monday, June 23, 2008

Pssst ... wanna buy a moon rock? If that doesn't excite you, how about a crisp cotton dress shirt worn by the president of the United States?

Or an outfit worn by Natasha Henstridge of Species fame or by David James Elliott, the former star of JAG?

You'll find a lot more where those came from on Wednesday when the producers of Impact, the $14-million sci-fi mini-series that just wrapped a 40-day shoot here, sell off thousands of dollars worth of costumes, props and furnishings.

For years, "set-dec" and wardrobe sales were one of the best kept secrets in B.C.'s movie industry. When a production wrapped, everything was sold off to other shows or bargain-hunting industry insiders and fortunate friends.

Impact producer Ted Bauman says it makes sense to open up set-dec sales to the public in a market like Victoria. He did it last summer when a sale was held downtown to blow out props and costumes from the Hallmark film Pictures of Hollis Woods.

Those who show up between 10 and 4 Wednesday for the cash-only sale at the former NOW furniture building, 2269 Douglas St., will get more than just a chance to buy a piece of the action. They'll get a sneak peek inside the studio where interiors were shot.

"A lot of the movie sets should still be in place," Bauman says. "People can come in and take a look at the lunar lander on the moon, and they might see 'the war room' and the European Space Agency control room -- parts of it, anyway."

Impact, which co-stars James Cromwell, Benjamin Sadler and Steve Culp (Thirteen Days) as the U.S. president, wrapped Friday. Victoria doubled as several worldwide locations including Ottawa, Washington, Munich and New Mexico.

The German-Canadian co-production, directed by Mike Rohl from a script by Emmy-winning screenwriter Michael Vickerman (Superfire), focuses on the impact of a meteor shower that sends the moon on a collision course with earth.

Items will be priced to sell, Bauman says -- much of it going for 50 per cent of what the company paid for it.

"We have lots of electronics, great clothing and lots of Ikea furniture," he said. Unsold items will go to charity.

It's not just Ikea couches, computers, dress suits, tables, office chairs and houseplants, set decorator Terry Lewis explains.

"The beauty of set-dec sales is they're very eclectic. There can be everything from nice high-end furnishings to what we ended up selling after I did The Egg Factory -- not one, but two gynecological examination tables."

Lewis, an 18-year industry veteran, refers to the "One man's junk is another man's treasure" axiom.
He still remembers the "old days" when studios would pack up sets and costumes in a trailer and send them to Los Angeles for storage.

"That's the world of higher-budget features," he says. "Nowadays the cost of making these lower-budget projects is so close to the line it's almost an economic necessity."

Consumers should be aware sale items have been used on film sets and might show signs of wear, he says.
Unusual items include a roll of copper sheeting bought in Kentucky to form the lunar lander's heat shield; and German light switches imported from Cologne.

"I challenge you to find a German light switch anywhere else in Victoria," he jokes.
"Or a Soyuz space capsule."

An estimated $50,000 worth of costumes will also be up for grabs, says costume designer Trish Flynn.

"This was a big show," she says.

"We fit over 100 actors with 15 costume changes on average, and 500 background."

While you won't be able to buy spacesuits, Red Cross uniforms or military apparel, expect lots of sportswear, business attire, clothes worn by scientists and some kids' clothing, sizes 8 and 9.

The featured actors get first crack at the costumes.

"They've worn it and they get used to it," Flynn says, adding prospective buyers should be aware costumes are altered.

"You might have a size 40, with the arms short or the pants long, depending on the actor," she cautions.

Oh, and just so you know. Those moon rocks are made of Styrofoam.

© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2008

Update on release date for 'The Rainbow Tribe'

2008-06-21T21:18:00.002-04:00

Photo from IMBD.com website for 'The Rainbow Tribe'

Was just checking the IMBD website for 'The Rainbow Tribe' and noticed that a new release date had been listed for the USA, August 21, 2008. I certainly hope that's true, it had said January 2009. This would be some great news! The movie looks excellent!

A little insider information about DJE in 'Impact'

2008-06-16T01:30:00.002-04:00

Since this was shared with me privately, I can't reveal any names, but I was given permission to share some of the comraderie between DJE and other actors on the set. Thanks!

'David Elliott is one of the funniest guy guy's you could meet. He seems a little intimidating at first, until you realize you could imagine him easily cracking jokes over beers and hockey..(they) are filming 14 to 16 hours a day, and he usually comes up with the right line to crack up the staff after 13 hours or so, and keeps (them) going the next few.'

'His favourite thing to do when it is tense and (they) have had to re-do a scene a whole bunch of times, is he will be saying this super heavy bit of dialogue about the Moon about to come crashing down on the planet, and suddenly he breaks into Star Trek, just out of nowhere...he's either doing Scotty's famous "Captain...she can't take much more of this!" or every now and again he will deliver his lines in Captain Kirk's famous "turn every word into it's own sentence" cadence. The other thing he has done to lighten things up on the set, is in the War Room scene (they) have two giant screens showing the scientific data on the moon and it's orbit etc...as well as a number of smaller screens showing CNN and the like...and one day on set (they) are filming a scene where (they) are all looking at the giant screens and worrying about the information we are getting, and suddenly DJE's travel photos and boating photos come up as a joke. '

TV, eh? » Global/E! announce 2008 schedules

2008-06-05T19:06:00.000-04:00

TV, eh? » Global/E! announce 2008 schedules
Posted by: Diane in Da Kink in my Hair, Project Runway Canada, The Guard
From a media release (I’m including Canadian series only):
Key returning 2008 Canadian highlights include the #1 new drama series* THE GUARD; and #1 new Canadian comedy series ’DA KINK IN MY HAIR. (BBM-NMR National Meter Data, Adults 18-49, Sept 10/07-May 25/08)

GLOBAL PRIMETIME 2008 – DAY-AT-A-GLANCEAll times EST. SUBJECT TO CHANGE.

Wednesday10pm The Guard (Season 2)
Saturday7pm Global Currents (Season 3)
10pm Renagadepress.com
10:30pm Renagadepress.com

MID-SEASON: ORIGINAL PROGRAMMING (Global)

THE ANIMATED ADVENTURES OF BOB AND DOUG MACKENZIE (30 minutes; animated)
COLD BLOOD (10 x 1 hour; documentary)
HOWIE DO IT (30 minutes; comedy)
XIII (2 x 2 hour; drama)
THE LAST TEMPLAR (2 x 2 hour; drama)
PROJECT RUNWAY CANADA Season 2 (1 hour; reality)

MID-SEASON ORIGINAL SERIES (E!)
PRODUCING PARKER (animation)

Got this in a TVeh? newsletter. Knew they were bringing 'The Guard' back for a Season 2 but it's nice to see it in print.

David James Elliott cast in mini-series disaster flick | Hollywood Celebrities

2008-05-29T14:36:00.000-04:00

Are you ready for some major disaster film effects? Were you disappointed that there wasn’t more destruction when the Golden Gate Bridge broke in half on Eli Stone (I was.) Then you, like me, will be pleased to hear that David James Elliott is starring in a four-hour mini-series called Impact. Producers are promising lots of action and Charlton Heston-like epic disaster. Okay, maybe I added the Charlton Heston adjective, but at $13 million, the guys at Muse Entertainment, Jaffe/Braunstein Entertainment and Tandem Communications aren’t skimping.

Casting David is a plus for starters. The former JAG star has a nice balance of serious and tongue-in-cheek, so hopefully he’ll keep Impact from getting too cheesey. The story, however, does have Velveeta potential.

The plot erupts when a meteor shower results in a piece of a dwarf star (no, I was going to make a joke about Michael Dunn, but I’ll refrain) breaks off and collides into the moon. The impact (get the title now?) causes the moon to shift out of orbit which leads to all kinds of problems here on earth.

Big problems, too. Cell phone interruptions. Cable and satellite interference. No, no, those are the minor inconveniences. The really big ones are the tides not rolling in on schedule and — I love this one — sporadic weightlessness! I want to try that one.

In Michael Vickerman’s screenplay, David’s character is Alex Kinter, an astrophysicist. He teams with a female astrophysicist (uncast so far), and together they find out that the moon is so out of whack that it’s going to collide with the earth. How do they solve the problem? Well, we’ll just have to tune in to find out.

Alert from highwallpaper.com. I am so looking forward to this movie.
http://www.highwallpaper.com/celebrities/hollywood/celebrity-tv/p2008/david-james-elliott-cast-in-mini-series-disaster-flick.html

Actor-athlete goes the distance

2008-05-26T14:17:00.000-04:00

JAG veteran making Impact on set of TV mini-series
Michael D. Reid, Times ColonistPublished: Monday, May 26, 2008

There's something to that axiom about how everyone loves a man in uniform.

Just ask David James Elliott. The Canadian actor developed a whole new fan base in 1995 when he was cast as the star of JAG, the hit CBS military adventure series that ran for 10 years.

"Women were never interested in me before that," deadpans Elliott, 48. "It's flattering."

It's easy to see why readers have been calling this desk with dinner invitations, photo requests and queries as to the whereabouts of the actor best known as Cmdr. Harmon Rabb Jr. in the show conceived as "Top Gun meets A Few Good Men."

Smartly dressed in a navy blazer, slacks and gleaming black dress shoes, the Milton, Ont.-born actor is the epitome of the head-turning hunk, oozing smooth charm and quick wit as he puffs on a cigar outside his trailer near the set of Impact.

No stranger to wearing uniforms -- from playing head-injured Canadian football star Terry Evanshen in The Man Who Lost Himself to David Renwald, a coast guard officer with multiple sclerosis on Global's The Guard -- he's doing it again.

Elliott is stepping into a spacesuit for one of his many scenes as Dr. Alex Kinter, an Ottawa-based astrophysicist and single father who with a German scientist (Benjamin Sadler) has to rocket to the moon in a bid to avert a global catastrophe.

The $14-million TV mini-series being filmed here charts the worldwide mayhem that ensues when an asteroid hits the moon, sending it on a collision course with Earth. It co-stars Natasha Henstridge and James Cromwell.

Although Impact is loaded with visual effects and action in multiple locations, Elliott's challenges lie elsewhere.

"I have to call on my memory a lot. There's a lot of scientific dialogue to cram in," he says. "But we've got a great cast and crew and we're having fun. I think it'll translate well to the screen."

Elliott can relate to Kinter's paternal aspects, being a devoted family man himself. The Los Angeles-based actor is married to actress Nanci Chambers, who played Lt. Loren Singer in JAG. They have two children -- Stephanie, 14, and Wyatt, 5.

He just wishes he could be at home as much as he was while shooting episodic television in L.A.

"They understand. It's what I do. I've been doing a lot more movies and other things and travelling more, which makes it a little difficult. It's never ideal but what am I going to do? This is the business we've chosen."

Elliott chose it after briefly dropping out of high school to pursue his dream of becoming a rock star. Inspired by a teacher who praised his reading of King Lear, he went to Ryerson and became a member of Stratford's Young Company.

Since then, the six-foot-four actor has appeared in films and dozens of TV shows including Street Legal, Knot's Landing, The Untouchables, Melrose Place (as a sex-addicted football player), Seinfeld, Medium and JAG, as well as playing egocentric district attorney James Conlon in the CBS legal series Close to Home.

Doing JAG for 10 years gave Elliott the freedom to pick projects more for artistic merit than megabucks, he says.

When his interviewer confesses he wasn't one of JAG's millions of fans, he feigns anger.

"We didn't need you, man," he deadpans. "It's still on the air."

He says he had "a blast" recently playing the father of a lonely lad with a beloved stuffed toy in Gooby, Canadian writer-director Wilson Coneybeare's family-friendly blend of live-action and computer-generated effects. Described as "Harvey meets Harry and the Hendersons," the upcoming film also features Robbie Coltrane and Eugene Levy.

Elliott is also pumped about The Rainbow Tribe, an indie charmer in which he plays a middle-aged man with a brain tumour who finds fulfilment "and a reason to go on" as a counsellor for a ragtag group of kids at a beloved summer camp of his childhood.

"There was no money in it but the script was one of the best I've ever read."

Like Robert Downey, Jr., Elliott has also strutted his stuff as Iron Man -- albeit a different variety.
An endurance athlete who also loves to fish and golf -- often in charity tournaments -- Elliott has done the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii, several half-Ironmans and Olympic-distance triathlons, and 15 marathons from Boston to Lake Tahoe.

Laughing, he says he can't help himself.

"I'm an obsessive-compulsive guy," he says. "It lends itself well because you can hyper-focus. I started doing it because it behooves me to stay in shape. I can go the distance. I may not be the fastest guy on the track but I'll probably be the last guy to stop."

mreid@tc.canwest.com
Had this in a Google news alert... quite an interesting article. Can't wait until we see him back on television!

In honor of our soldiers...

2008-05-24T01:44:00.002-04:00

Re-airing of 'Love Sick'

2008-05-14T22:36:00.000-04:00

According to VenusZine.com, 'Love Sick: Secrets of a Sex Addict' will be airing again on LifetimeTV May 26 and June 3, 2008. Here is a link to the whole article for anyone interested:

http://venuszine.com/articles/art_and_culture/film/3200/No_sexy_secrets_here

Babe star Cromwell filming in Victoria

2008-05-05T19:11:00.001-04:00

James Cromwell's character comforts his granddaughter, played by Natasha Calis,
shot Thursday in Shawnigen Lake for the movie 'Impact'.
Photo by Handout Photo.

Michael D. Reid, Victoria Times Colonist
Published: Monday, May 05, 2008

James Cromwell had acted on stage and television for years — remember Archie Bunker’s co-worker Stretch Cunningham on All in the Family? — but he says it wasn’t until he became a pig farmer he thought his career as one of Hollywood’s most recognizable actors really began.

“That’s probably the one I loved the most. He was such a sweet fella,” says the six-foot-seven actor, smiling as he recalls his Oscar-nominated role as kindly Farmer Hoggett in Babe, the 1995 charmer about an endearing piglet raised by sheepdogs.

Cromwell, 68, is described as “lovely” by crew members on the set of Impact, the $13-million sci-fi miniseries about the effects of a meteor’s collision with the moon.

“I try to do titles that are only one or two words. I did The Babe and Babe, and Deep Impact and Impact,” the Los Angeles-born actor jokes when reminded he was in a similarly titled movie about a comet on a collision course with earth 10 years ago.

Cromwell, last seen playing Prince Philip to acerbic perfection in The Queen, is bundled up in a winter coat inside Shawnigan Lake’s Royal Canadian Legion.

It’s doubling as Rumney’s Roadhouse, a ramshackle “sportsman’s bar” in Vermont. The parking lot is strewn with smoking, overturned vans and pickup trucks, some in flames from the effects of a gravitational crisis.

The fake scar on his forehead is because his character, a loving grandfather, has been in a crash while trying to get his grandchildren to Washington to be with their father, a scientist played by David James Elliott.

The outspoken actor, environmentalist, anti-war activist and defender of aboriginal rights says Babe was more than a movie to him. It was a life-changing “gift” from spiritual leader Baba Ram Dass, a.k.a. Dr. Richard Alpert, author of the inspirational book Be Here Now.

“I had lost my way and through a serendipitous series of events I wound up at an ashram with this teacher,” explains Cromwell, who was disillusioned by what was happening to his country during the Vietnam era.

He received the script for Babe after travelling around the world. He spent eight months in Africa, and spent time with monks in a temple in Japan before returning to New York to “reconnect with what initially gave me the impetus to be an actor.”
Cromwell understands why the Oscar-nominated movie captured the hearts and minds of millions.

“It’s a beautiful story, brilliantly done,” he says. “The trick [mating animatronics and live animals] was not apparent because very few people do it. It’s because of the genius of [director] Chris Noonan and [co-writer] George Miller. To create the illusion of intelligence and volition you had to train animals to relate to each other the way humans do.”

That Babe even got released was a miracle, he says.

“Universal almost threw the film away. They thought it would be a disaster.”

Its fortunes improved after the studio half-heartedly invited movie writers to see it after the premiere of Apollo 13 in Texas.

“The reporters went, ‘Oh, geez, oh no,’ but then they saw it and wrote great reviews.”

After making Babe, Cromwell became an ethical vegan and animal rights crusader, working with organizations such as People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. He had been a vegetarian since taking a disturbing motorcycle trip through the stockyards of Texas in 1975.

“As far as you could see there was suffering, and the stench and sounds were haunting,” Cromwell recalls somberly.

Having played princes to presidents, he’s one of Hollywood’s most ubiquitous actors. Memorable roles include Cromwell’s lethally corrupt police chief in L.A. Confidential, the prison warden in The Green Mile, a monk who befriends Babe Ruth in The Babe, Jack Bauer’s evil father in 24, geologist George Sibley in Six Feet Under, a dying bishop in E.R., Mr. Skolnick in Revenge of the Nerds and Dr. Zefram Cochrane in Star Trek: First Contact.

Just don’t call him a character actor.

“There are two distinctions. One is you never get the girl, which is the part I don’t like,” he says, grinning. “The second is the assumption that you can’t carry the picture. I don’t do ‘characters.’ I always do me — where I’ve got lines written and I have to get from one line to the next in a circumstance which alters who I am.”

He’ll do that again when he starts rehearsals Thursday in Louisiana for his role as former U.S. president George Bush in W, Oliver Stone’s biopic on current President George W. Bush. Although Cromwell is no stranger to the Oval Office — he played fictional presidents in The Sum of All Fears and The West Wing and Lyndon B. Johnson in RFK — this is different.

“I played Johnson when he was dead so he couldn’t write me a letter,” he quips. He says the challenge is to convey the essence of the elder Bush without descending into caricature. “You have to create the sense you really are the person, but under private circumstances. You’ve never seen him say to his son he’s disappointed in his behaviour or that he can’t talk to him, or that he’s embarrassed.”

Why does Cromwell get cast as authority figures so often?

“A lack of imagination,” jokes the actor, who has played bankers, senators and judges. “If you start out as a pig farmer and then do L.A. Confidential, instead of saying, ‘Wow! What range!’ they say, ‘What are we going to do with him?’ Then you do Sum of All Fears and if you’re a believable president they say, ‘Oh, we’ve got him now.’ ”

Cromwell is fuelled by the influence of his parents — actress Kay Johnson and John Cromwell, the blacklisted actor-director.

“He said, ‘It’s a tough business. You don’t work and people are critical and you lose hope. But it works out if you keep at it.’ ”

©Victoria Times Colonist 2008

Had this in a Google alert and included the whole post. James Cromwell is quite the actor. Can't wait to see him and DJE in 'Impact'.

Granada CEO Keen to Mine Library - TVWeek - News

2008-04-29T22:35:00.000-04:00

Granada CEO Keen to Mine Library - TVWeek - News

Interesting article mentioning 'Impact' from TVWeek.com:

Buccieri Sees Value in Vast Array of Titles

With a companywide goal of doubling revenues to $2.4 billion by 2012, ITV Global Content head Dawn Airey named Paul Buccieri CEO of Granada America earlier this year. With growing pressure on the company to perform, Mr. Buccieri moved quickly to exploit the company's large library of titles to boost the number of series airing on U.S. television.

One key project now being shopped to the networks is upcoming big-budget miniseries “Impact,” through Granada’s Jaffe/Braunstein Films division along with Tandem Communications and Muse Entertainment Enterprises. The story follows consequences that arise when the moon is struck by a burnt-out star. It features Natasha Henstridge, David James Elliott, James Cromwell, Benjamin Sadler and Florentine Lahme.

Granada has already sold the project to more than 90 territories worldwide, including Germany, France, Austria, Spain, Russia, Poland, Hungary, Latin America, Benelux, Middle East, Romania and Slovakia, covering the $14 million cost of the miniseries.

With Granada’s “Hell’s Kitchen” continuing to perform well on Fox and a number of series running strong on cable, including “Celebrity Fit Club” on VH1, Mr. Buccieri sat down with TelevisionWeek Deputy Editor Chris Pursell to discuss the challenges and opportunities ahead for the company.

TelevisionWeek: What is the state of the union at Granada America now that you have taken over?
Paul Buccieri: It’s a great company. We’ve done a great job and we have some nice franchises going. One of the things that [ITV Global content head] Dawn [Airey] wants to do, and I responded really well to this, is that one advantage we have in the marketplace is that we own a network in the U.K. And we really haven’t fully exploited that to the level that we should. That’s one of the things that she’s really focusing in on. The other thing is that we’re using all of our different outposts. Fremantle has done a fine job of this, and [of] working as one collective development unit. My development team isn’t essentially the core people I have here in L.A. and the core people I have in New York. I have people all over, from Germany, Australia, the U.K., and it’s given me the access to so many formats, and so many shows, that the issue now is to prioritize which shows are the best shows to take out for the right networks and that are in line with the brand of the different networks. The other thing I’m excited about is expansion into new territories. We’re going to be very aggressive about setting up offices in other territories around the world, India particularly, so I’m excited about getting those formats in those shows. For me it’s maximizing our scale in the most effective way here in the United States and expanding our portfolio.

TVWeek: Coming from Twentieth Television, what skill set did you learn there that you could apply to Granada?
Mr. Buccieri: News Corp.’s a very disciplined organization, and from the top down they are extremely focused on things, and it really helped me and brought a lot of clarity to me. I focus on things that I can generate revenue on. I also learned a lot about speed. Speed is essential. The other thing about working in a big company like News Corp., we really had the advantage of being vertically integrated. Another advantage is being nimble. Being here at Granada, where I can align myself with a lot of different partners very quickly, and utilizing that speed here so I can make deals very, very quickly, I can work with multiple different partners. And it gives me the flexibility to hopefully set up more different projects.

TVWeek: How long before we see your fingerprints all over what Granada is doing?
Mr. Buccieri: I think over the course of the next two months you’ll see a lot of closed deals and a lot of announcements in the nonscripted side as well as the scripted side, which I’m really excited about, going into that arena as well.

TVWeek: How important is [scripted programming] to the company right now?
Mr. Buccieri: One of the big things about Granada here is that a lot of people don’t know all the shows that we do. On the nonscripted side we’re doing very, very well, and I think we can do better. But at the same time, where I can see the most growth potential is in the scripted side of the business. It made me feel really good that I read the Hollywood Reporter this week, and to see three shows on the scripted side being associated with Granada USA is very gratifying. I think we can really expand that. And we have literally thousands, I’m not exaggerating here, thousands of scripted shows and formats that we can set up with, align with other studios on the right projects, take the calculated risk to do the deficit financing, and I think that’s a real area of growth. In that area we’re going to be hiring some people to staff up to exploit that. So that’s the target for us. The ITV library is second only to BBC in size.

TVWeek: How do you go about deciding what’s right for different media outlets?
Mr. Buccieri: First we have to find the right situation; it can be very convoluted. So we have literally list after list of the different formats. We’ve been inviting creative writers, producers to take looks at those shows and those properties, and see what shows that they gravitate to and if that’s in their strength to be able to set up. I don’t want to just limit us, me as a producer, to say this is the show I’m going to take out. We’re having other people take a look, and see what we have. ITV Productions has a lot of pilots that have been set up in the U.K. that are done, written, drafted, re-drafted and ready to go. We’re bringing those out to our agency, ICM, they’re trying to attach the right writers or directors. As you know very well, the scripted business, it’s all about the writer. And now, in the one-hour, it’s also a lot about the director. So we’re attaching the right people.

TVWeek: Some people have claimed that the U.K. formats are tapped out and it’s time to find series from new locations, be it India or New Zealand. Is that a feeling you share?
Mr. Buccieri: No, I don’t think it’s tapped out in the U.K. But I do think that one doesn’t supersede the other, it doesn’t overshadow the other, I think you should exploit both. I think this is more of a trend from a prime-time network perspective. People are more inclined to buy a formatted show and they’re more inclined to buy English-speaking format. Every year we have a slate of those shows coming on. So I see that continuing. But I do see that we have to look elsewhere as well. You can’t just be so selective on one market and one place. You never know where the next great idea is coming from.

TVWeek: I can’t do an interview about Granada without mentioning “Hell’s Kitchen” star Gordon Ramsay. How does he impact the company?
Mr. Buccieri: He’s a wonderful talent. He’s got all that star quality. But he also comes to the show with a producer’s mind, which I think actually elevates the productions. We’re so grateful to have him, as is Fox. Mike Darnell has done a wonderful job shepherding him and nurturing him as a brand. So what we have now is a bona fide hit where we have two shows with him at Fox, and things are going well with that.

TVWeek: Can you elaborate on exploiting some of the shows that have been developed internally here?Mr. Buccieri: I think the greatest opportunity for Granada America shows, original shows, is in the cable arena. Not to exclude the [broadcast] prime-time arena by any means, but it’s easier for us to mount original projects in cable versus prime time. We did a show called “The Big Match” for Lifetime that now is being exploited all over the world. We have several others, actually. We have three other properties that are original Granada USA formats that, once we mount here, essentially, we call it, “goes in the wheel.” And we get it out to formatting, we get it out to sales, and then I talk to my counterparts in all the different territories that we have and we try to get out those materials as quickly as possible.

TVWeek: You guys made some headlines with the sale of “Nanny 911” and “Trading Spouses” to CMT. Can you talk about the back-end life of reality shows?
Mr. Buccieri: There is life after original shows. One of the things that we’re trying to do in our development is try to focus in on some self-contained reality properties. It’s a benefit to us because there’s an afterlife, after-market value to it. It’s a benefit to the broadcasters that produce it so that they can get more lives out of it. And so that they can use it—one, as filler, if their other shows go down. Two, they have the show for the summer, the show that they can review in the summer and retain the same level. So yeah, that’s something that I talk about quite often actually. And reaping the benefits of “Nanny 911,” which is doing very, very well on CMT. I just got a call from them about that. Yeah, but that is a focus for me.

TVWeek: Let’s talk about your Granada America New York. Where do they fit in the picture?
Mr. Buccieri: We have a New York office, which is run by Patrice Andrews, our senior VP of production and operations. They are a major supplier of reality programming to cable, with nearly 50 hours due to be produced this year, including “The First 48,” which is delivering the highest ratings of its run currently. We expect that an order for season nine is coming soon. The New York office has an expertise in the documentary/docusoap genre, and they’ve done unbelievably well. We really want to get more production done out of there because they can execute flawlessly. The way that they’ve produced these shows, I think, is unmatched, and we’re excited about more possibilities with them. I just want the creative community, producers and executives to know that we here at Granada USA are a place that comes up with unique, creative ideas, nurtures those ideas and executes those ideas and makes everyone involved feel proud of the quality of the show, the ratings of the show. We want to be a place people want to do business with. Since I’ve been here, we’ve been really fortunate, as well as really grateful to Fox, for placing us after “American Idol,” to show everyone how wonderful “Hell’s Kitchen” is, from not just a ratings perspective but from a critical perspective. Because of that we were fortunate enough that they took the order from 10 episodes to 14 episodes of “Kitchen Nightmares.”

TVWeek: How were you able to pull together a miniseries like “Impact?”
Mr. Buccieri: We are always aggressively out in the marketplace selling and developing new concepts. With “Impact,” it’s a really unique deal that they’ve structured. I think we did all the financing overseas. So it’s very much like an independent feature and we’re coming back here to sell it. That’s a really unique and interesting model. I want people to realize that we’re a place where, when you come here, we develop shows together, you not only have the opportunity to develop shows for the United States marketplace but you have opportunities to put these shows on the ITV network in the U.K. and then, of course, around the world. I think that’s exciting to producers because, as an independent producer, you’re isolated out there, and we’ll give you an opportunity to be nurtured in an environment where you can succeed and you can be rewarded financially for that success. That’s the type of environment I would want to be in. It’s an exciting time to be a part of the company because the expectations are really, really high.

10:40 a.m.: Updated first paragraph to reflect $2.4 billion revenue goal is ITV's, not solely Granada America's and corrected name of Mike Darnell in answer about Gordon Ramsay.

Natasha Henstridge braces for Impact | The Register

2008-04-28T23:27:00.000-04:00

Natasha Henstridge braces for Impact The Register

Dwarf star hits Moon, Earth has bad hair day
By Lester Haines
Published Monday 28th April 2008 14:44 GMT

In what is quite possibly the most ominous sci-fi news so far this year, Variety reports that Species minx Natasha Henstridge will star in Impact - a TV two-parter featuring a dwarf star hitting the Moon, followed by the usual apocalyptic pandemonium down on Earth.

Henstridge will be joined for the romp by David James Elliott of JAG and LA Confidential vet James Cromwell under the watchful eye of Smallville helmsman Mike Rohl working to a script by Superfire pensmith Michael Vickerman.

Shooting on Impact kicked off in British Colombia last week. Munich-based Tandem Communications is, with Jaffe/Braunstein Films and Muse Entertainment Enterprises, in the producer's chair, while Germany's ProSieben Television, Spain’s Cuatro, TF1 in France and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment share co-production credits.

Tandem has apparently already offloaded the miniseries on an unsuspecting world, with 90 territories getting out their chequebooks for a piece of the action.

Tandem’s Jonas Bauer declared: “The story has broad appeal because it combines universal fears we all have - of large objects flying through space and hitting the Earth. That’s what we’re playing with, the effects on gravity, electro-magnetic disturbances, tsunamis, earthquakes, a high-speed train getting airborne at 200 miles an hour.” ®
******************************************************

Henstridge to make 'Impact'
TV disaster movie lines up cast
By ED MEZA

BERLIN — Natasha Henstridge (“Eli Stone”), James Cromwell and David James Elliott (“JAG”) will topline “Impact,” a two-part TV disaster movie about a dwarf star striking the moon and wreaking havoc on Earth.

Produced by Munich-based Tandem Communications, Jaffe/Braunstein Films and Muse Entertainment Enterprises, the $14 million miniseries began shooting on location in British Columbia last week.
German thesps Benjamin Sadler (“Side Effects”) and Florentine Lahme (“Rabbit Without Ears”) also star.
Pic is produced in association with Germany's ProSieben Television, Spain’s Cuatro, TF1 in France and Sony Pictures Home Entertainment.

Tandem, which is handling worldwide distribution, has already pre-sold the pic in more than 90 territories, including Austria, Russia, Poland, Latin America and the Middle East.

Directed by Mike Rohl ("Smallville") from a script by Michael Vickerman ("Superfire"), “Impact” is executive produced by Jonas Bauer, Rola Bauer, Tim Halkin, Michael Jaffe, Howard Braunstein and Michael Prupas, co-executive produced by Irene Litinsky and produced by Ted Bauman.

"Despite the financing challenges in the market today, networks and video distributors worldwide are eager for programming of this nature,” Tandem’s Jonas Bauer said. “The story has broad appeal because it combines universal fears we all have — of large objects flying through space and hitting the Earth. That’s what we’re playing with, the effects on gravity, electro-magnetic disturbances, tsunamis, earthquakes, a high-speed train getting airborne at 200 miles an hour.”

Tandem recently acquired film rights for Ken Follett’s bestseller “The Pillars of the Earth,” which it’s producing with Ridley and Tony Scott’s Scott Free Prods., and is in post production on “Lost City Raiders,” a two-hour sci-fi actioner, starring James Brolin, Ian Somerhalder and Jamie Thomas King.

Had these articles in a Google alert... one from the 'Register' and one from 'Variety'.

Sci-fi film hits Victoria

2008-04-26T15:21:00.000-04:00

Got this in a Google alert:

Michael D. Reid, Times ColonistPublished: Saturday, April 26, 2008

The title of a TV miniseries in production here is appropriate, since it will likely make a significant economic impact. The shoot ends a five-month slump sparked by the rising loonie and, to a lesser degree, the writers' strike.

Impact, a $13-million four-hour miniseries starring David James Elliott, Natasha Henstridge and James Cromwell, began shooting in Colwood yesterday, Vancouver-based producer Ted Bauman confirmed. It was the first day of principal photography on a 38-day shoot that will feature a whopping 64 locations from the B.C. legislature to Shawnigan Lake.

Directed by Mike Rohl (Smallville) from a script by Emmy-winning screenwriter Michael Vickerman (Superfire), the effects-heavy sci-fi adventure focuses on the devastating impact of a meteor shower that sends the moon on a collision course with Earth.

Elliott (JAG) plays Alex Kinter, an Ottawa-based astrophysicist who, with a team of Amer- ican and European scientists, including an astronomer played by Henstridge (Species), convene in Washington, D.C., to try to avert disaster. Cromwell (Babe) plays the grandfather of Kinter's children, and Berlin-based actor Benjamin Sadler portrays a German scientific genius.

Scenes currently being filmed depict neighbourhoods in Ottawa, where Kinter's quiet life is disrupted by the news that the moon has been knocked out of its orbit. In weeks to come, Victoria and surrounding areas will be passed off as Washington, Vermont, London, Paris, New Mexico -- with the Centre of the Universe posing as an observatory there -- and Munich.

When filming wraps here, a second-unit crew will capture footage in Berlin "to create a more European feel," Bauman said.

The prolific producer's Bauman Entertainment Inc. is working in association with Munich- based Tandem Communications, Montreal's Muse Entertainment and Jaffe/Braunstein Entertainment, with whom Bauman has partnered here on the TV movies Behind the Camera: The Unauthorized Story of Charlie's Angels, The Survivor's Club and I Want to Marry Ryan Banks.

Filming is also slated to take place at downtown locations, restaurants, private homes, the airport and a local gravel pit, posing as the lunar landscape.

The visual effects -- 250 in all -- are complicated, he said, "from meteors hitting the Indian Ocean to a moon explosion."

Greater Victoria's film commissioner, Rod Hardy, said Impact was music to his ears.
"It's wonderful to get our local film crews back to work, to drag them out of mothballs," Hardy said. "We've had set decorators working at Safeway. We're finally starting to see pictures coming back."

mreid@tc.canwest.com

© Times Colonist (Victoria) 2008

Link to original article:
http://www.canada.com/victoriatimescolonist/news/arts/story.html?id=8773c71d-bf71-4c4b-9c68-0087c5fc10ae

David James Elliott Withdraws From BMW Tourney

2008-04-25T03:41:00.000-04:00

Samuel L. Jackson Withdraws From BMW Tourney - Sports - News Channel 7, Upstate South Carolina:

"GREENVILLE, S.C. (May 24, 2008) – Actor Joe Pesci and former NFL players Sterling Sharpe and Kordell Stewart have been added to the line-up of celebrities for the 2008 BMW Charity Pro-Am golf tournament. Actors Samuel L. Jackson, David James Elliott, Kevin Sorbo and Lucas Black have withdrawn. Ty Gretzky, the 17-year-old son of the Great One, will also participate as a celebrity.
The celebrities that are now unable to attend have withdrawn due to recent changes in the production schedules of their latest movies.

“We are very excited to have Joe Pesci and Kordell Stewart joining the field for the first time and to have Sterling Sharpe return. The addition of Ty Gretzky marks the first father-mother-son participants in the tournament’s history and brings our celebrity participants to 28,” said Darin MacDonald, tournament director of the BMW Charity Pro-Am. “It is unfortunate to hear about Samuel L. Jackson, David James Elliott, Kevin Sorbo and Lucas Black, but we understand.They had committed to play, but apparently the shooting schedules of their new movies have changed. We understand that their work takes precedence, and we wish them all well with these productions.”"

I'm not surprised by this announcement. I've been waiting for DJE to withdraw since he'll be filming his new movie 'Impact' at the same time.

Thanks to my neice for the heads up about this article.

Watched 'Love Sick: Secrets of a Sex Addict'

2008-04-19T23:44:00.002-04:00

WOW... what a truly inspiring movie! DJE played a fantastic character 'Rick'. He was so believable in the role. Just goes to show what a versatile actor he is. He looked so hot in the scenes! Jean... then shirtless... I'd died and went to Heaven! LOL!

But now some of my thoughts on the movie...

First off, to know this was based on a true story... hats off to Sue Silverman for writing her book! It is such an honor to know her. Her story is one that needs to be told over and over. It gives people that have an addiction, hope, and knowledge that they are not alone. There is help out there for them! They touched more on the sexual abuse Sue had received from her father than I thought they might. The scenes were done with much sensitivity. All I wanted to do was to hug that little girl and protect her. Those scenes broke my heart.

Then the scene at the end where 'Sue' (Sally Pressman) gives her speech... I wanted to yell out and tell her how proud I am that she beat her addiction! It was such an inspiring ending! The facts at the very end of the movie about sexual abuse... truly scary.

Sally Pressman was awesome in her role as Sue Silverman! Very believable!

For anyone that saw the movie but hasn't yet read the book... read the book too. It does answer some unanswered questions. I'm so honored that I have an autographed copy, and plan on reading it again since seeing the movie. The book can be purchased from Amazon.com or from Sue's website:
www.suewilliamsilverman.com

Sue, I'm so honored by our friendship! Thank you!

'Impact'

2008-04-18T17:00:00.001-04:00

Took me a bit but I was able to get a couple of photos off the Tandem Communications website, along with a great synopsis of the movie.

Synopsis

After a massive meteor collides with our moon, disastrous abnormalities start happening on Earth – on one side of the planet, cars begin to hover over the ground as if in outer space, while on the other side, the Earth’s gravitational pull becomes so intense that the Eiffel Tower crumbles together under its own weight.

A team of international scientists realizes the horrifying truth: the meteor has knocked the moon out of its orbit and has hurled it on a collision course with the Earth. In 45 days, the Moon will crash into our planet. As with the total extinction of the dinosaurs through a meteor shower, history is about to repeat itself, this time with mankind...

The US has a plan, but finds no international support. The Europeans have another strategy, which the Americans don’t buy into. Now it is up to a small group of scientists on both sides of the pond to get the nations of the world to cooperate and act as one, before it will be too late...

Unique visuals and powerful human drama will bring this chilling story to life.
Get ready to experience the dark side of the moon!

There was also a fact sheet:

IMPACT

Event miniseries (2 x 90 mins)

The moon is knocked off course by an enormous meteor not only reaping havoc with its gravitational pull, but also putting it into a collision course with the Earth. In 45 days it will impact...

Genre:

Action / Catastrophe

Status:

Principal photography planned 2nd Quarter 2008

Budget:

US$ 14 Million

Delivery:

Estimated 4th Quarter 2008

Writer:

Emmy® nominee Michael Vickerman (Superfire)
Producers:

Jaffe/Braunstein Films (10.5, 10.5 Apocalypse)TANDEM COMMUNICATIONS (Ring of the Nibelungs, The Company)Muse Entertainment Enterprises (Human Trafficking)
Executive Producers:

Emmy® nominees Michael Jaffe & Howard Braunstein, Emmy® nominees Rola Bauer & Tim Halkin, Jonas Bauer and Michael Prupas
Language:

English

Distribution:

TANDEM COMMUNICATIONS

'JAG' Star Makes Miniseries 'Impact' - David James Elliott will play an astrophysicist - Zap2it

2008-04-18T14:27:00.000-04:00

'JAG' Star Makes Miniseries 'Impact' - David James Elliott will play an astrophysicist - Zap2it
Another article with some different information from Zap2it:

David James Elliott will take the lead in "Impact," an effects-heavy four-hour miniseries.

The Hollywood Reporter story on Elliott's casting doesn't list a network home for the $13 million project, which is written by Michael Vickerman ("Superfire") and will be produced through Muse Entertainment, Jaffe/Braunstein Entertainment and Tandem Communications.

The trade says that "Impact" focuses on the aftermath of meteor shower that leaves the piece of a dwarf star stuck in the moon. As a result, a bunch of weird stuff starts happening on Earth, including "cell phone service interruption, exaggerated tides and the occurrence of sporadic weightlessness."

None of that actually sounds so bad, but we assume things get worse. Elliott will play an astrophysicist who joins forces with a female astronomer to discover that the moon may be heading on a collision course with Earth. Ah. That sounds bad.

"Impact" will begin shooting later this month.

Still best known for his starring turn on "JAG," Elliott followed up that long-running CBS drama with a role in the network's "Close to Home." His other TV credits include stints on "Melrose Place," "Knots Landing" and "Street Legal."

David James Elliott to lead 'Impact'

2008-04-18T14:15:00.000-04:00

'David James Elliott to lead 'Impact'
From the Hollywood Reporter:

By Nellie Andreeva
April 17, 2008

David James Elliott has been tapped to star in "Impact," a four-hour disaster miniseries from Muse Entertainment, Jaffe/Braunstein Entertainment and Tandem Communications.

Budgeted at $13 million, the effects-heavy "Impact" chronicles the aftermath of a meteor shower during which a piece of a dwarf star lodges itself in the moon. That triggers a series of anomalies on Earth, including cell phone service interruption, exaggerated tides and the occurrence of sporadic weightlessness.

Astrophysicist Alex Kinter (Elliott), with a help of a female astronomer, discover that the moon has been dislodged from its orbit and is on a collision course with Earth.

Michael Vickerman ("Superfire") penned the script for the mini, which is being exec produced by Michael Prupas, Howard Braunstein, Rola Bauer and Jonas Bauer.

Filming is slated to begin this month in Victoria, B.C.

"JAG" alum Elliott, whose upcoming features include "Gooby" and "The Rainbow Tribe," is managed by Bob McGowan. '

Whooo hoo!!!!! A movie that I know I'll love! Sci-fi is something I was hoping DJE would eventually try!

Love Sick: Secrets of a Sex Addict

2008-04-16T15:19:00.000-04:00

Had this in a Google alert today.

SLAVES TO SEX: "Army Wives" regular Sally Pressman says playing the lead in the Lifetime Original Movie "Love Sick — Secrets of a Sex Addict" debuting Saturday (4/19) was "probably the most challenging thing I've ever done. It's a heartbreaking story based on an autobiography, and it's also a lot darker than anything I've ever done."
In "Love Sick" Pressman's plays a woman who "was sexually abused by her father starting at age 5 and as a result of that developed a sexual disorder. The author came to the set a couple of days, and I got to meet and talk to her, which was amazing. It's very embarrassing for the person. They feel very alone, can't tell anyone.

What was fascinating for me as an actor was that this woman is having a lot of sex, but hates herself more every time she does it."

Pressman says in reading the book on which the film is based and doing subsequent research she found sexual addiction to be a much misunderstood disorder. "Women who have this sexual disorder just basically get labeled as sluts, and that's not fair at all … It's an actual chemical imbalance that alters your body so it's something out of your control." She adds, "What I loved about working on the piece was it brings consciousness to people that sexual addiction happens far too often in the world, that it's not OK, and you can stop it and help yourself."

Link to original article:
http://www.creators.com/lifestylefeatures/hollywood-exclusive/doing-double-the-talk-duty-bush-grateful-for-return-of-voice-filmmaker-found-leading-lady-tori-up-in.html

Love Sick: Secrets of a Sex Addict collage

2008-04-11T23:01:00.004-04:00

As promised last week, here is the special collage I had made for Sue Silverman... but with a little change, thanks to LifetimeTV.com.

Unfortunately the hard cover addition of the book is no longer available, but here is a link to buy a paperback copy with Sally Pressman on the cover:

http://www.amazon.com/LoveSickJourneythroughAddiction/dp/0393333000/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_a

You can also order the book on Sue's website:

http://www.suewilliamsilverman.com/index.htm

If you haven't had a chance to read the book, do so, you won't be disappointed. Having read the book myself, I am doubly looking forward to the movie. So don't forget to watch it!

April 19th on the LifetimeTV channel at 9pm est!

PGATOUR.COM - Storylines: Masters week

2008-04-10T16:11:00.000-04:00

PGATOUR.COM - Storylines: Masters week: "• BMW CHARITY PRO-AM ANNOUNCES CELEBRITY LINEUP -- One of the Nationwide Tour's most prominent tournaments, the BMW Charity Pro-Am, will once again feature an impressive lineup of celebrity participants. Scheduled to compete this year are: Samuel L. Jackson, Dennis Quaid, Luke Wilson, Greg Kinnear, Kurt Russell, Catherine Bell, David James Elliott, Wayne Gretzky, Janet Jones Gretzky, Dave Coulier, Stefanie Schaeffer, Patrick Warburton, Oliver Hudson, Michael Pena, Jason Dohring, Kevin Sorbo, Josh Kelley, Cheech Marin, Javier Colon, Lucas Black, Steve Azar, Gary Valentine, Mark Rypien, Branford Marsalis, Pat Green, George Rogers, Ben Wright and Jennifer Mills. The BMW Charity Pro-Am groups amateurs and celebrities with Tour professionals in a three-day better-ball competition. Last year the event raised $2,021,325 for 20 Upstate and western North Carolina charities. Nick Flanagan won the second of his three 2007 Nationwide Tour titles that led to his PGA TOUR 'victory promotion'. A new rotation of courses in Greenville and Spartanburg, S.C. and Mill Spring, N.C. is in effect this year. GOLF CHANNEL will provide live coverage."

Got this is a Google alert. I hope they raise even more money this year!

TV, eh? » The Guard Greenlit for Season II

2008-04-09T18:52:00.000-04:00

TV, eh? » The Guard Greenlit for Season II

Got this in my newsletter:

Posted by: Diane in The Guard
From a media release:

DHX Media Ltd., a leading independent international producer and distributor of television programming and interactive content is pleased to announce that Global Television, a Canwest Broadcasting network has commissioned a second season of the primetime original drama series, The Guard, which begins production in Vancouver, BC in June and is slated for broadcast in the 2008-09 season. The series is a co-production between DHX Media’s subsidiary, Halifax Film and Vancouver based Brightlight Pictures Inc, for Global Television.

The Guard is a one-hour character-driven, ensemble drama series that focuses on the lives of four imperfect, offbeat and sometimes difficult, but heroic Coast Guard rescue specialists looking for meaning in their own lives while enduring the daily dangers of life out on the Pacific Ocean. Audiences were captivated by these west coast heroes, as Season I of the series launched with over 800,000 viewers and
The Guard was the #1 new Canadian Original in the key demo Adults 18-49.

Charles Bishop, President, Halifax Film said, “We are thrilled to partner once again with Global Television to produce a second season of The Guard. The additional season will continue to help us secure significant international sales.”

Now if we can just get a station in the USA to pick it up!!!!!!! And they'd hire David James Elliott to do more episodes.... all his fans would be very happy!

PGATOUR.COM - Big field of celebrities set for '08 BMW Charity Pro-Am

2008-04-02T22:16:00.000-04:00

PGATOUR.COM - Big field of celebrities set for '08 BMW Charity Pro-Am

Apr. 2, 2008

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- Samuel L. Jackson, Dennis Quaid, Luke Wilson, Greg Kinnear, Kurt Russell, Catherine Bell, David James Elliott, Wayne Gretzky, Janet Jones Gretzky, Dave Coulier, Stefanie Schaeffer, Patrick Warburton, Oliver Hudson, Michael Pena, Jason Dohring, Kevin Sorbo, Josh Kelley, Cheech Marin, Javier Colon, Lucas Black, Steve Azar, Gary Valentine, Mark Rypien, Branford Marsalis, Pat Green, George Rogers, Ben Wright and Jennifer Mills are the celebrities that are scheduled to compete in this year's BMW Charity Pro-Am golf tournament.

The tournament will be played May 15-18 at Bright's Creek Golf Club, The Carolina Country Club and Thornblade Club golf courses. All four rounds will be televised live by GOLF CHANNEL.
The BMW Charity Pro-Am is the only tournament on the Nationwide Tour where amateurs and celebrities are grouped with Nationwide Tour professionals in a three-day better-ball competition. Amateurs, celebrities and pros will rotate between each of the three courses on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, with the 14 lowest scoring pro-amateur/pro-celebrity teams advancing to play Sunday's final round at Thornblade Club.

The professional winner of the overall 72-hole event will take home $121,500 from the total purse of $675,000, which is one of the largest purses on the Nationwide Tour, as well as a brand new BMW X5 Sports Activity Vehicle. Amateurs and celebrities will compete for individual prizes and cash donations to the charity of their choice out of the beneficiaries selected by South Carolina Charities, Inc.

Jackson, one of the most respected actors in Hollywood, is playing in the BMW Charity Pro-Am for the first time. He most recently starred alongside Hayden Christenson and Rachel Bilson in Jumper. Jackson has also starred in numerous films, including hits like 1408, Episodes I, II and II of Star Wars, Snakes on a Plane, Coach Carter, S.W.A.T., The Negotiator, XXX, XXX: State of the Union, Shaft, Rules of Engagement, Deep Blue Sea, Sphere, Die Hard: With a Vengeance, Pulp Fiction (where he received Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations as Best Supporting Actor), Jurassic Park and Patriot Games. He currently has five other works slated for release in the next two years.

Quaid, who is also making his first appearance at the BMW Charity Pro-Am, began his acting career in 1975 with the film, Crazy Mama. Among his other films are The Right Stuff, Great Balls of Fire, Enemy Mine, The Rookie, Far From Heaven (where he received a Golden Globe nomination), In Good Company, Dragonheart, The Parent Trap, Wyatt Earp, Frequency, Any Given Sunday and The Day After Tomorrow. In his most recent film, Vantage Point, Quaid stars alongside Matthew Fox, Forrest Whitaker, Sigourney Weaver and William Hurt. Quaid will play "Hawk" in the Paramount Pictures production, G.I. Joe, which is slated for release in 2009.

Wilson began his acting career starring in a film (Bottle Rocket, 1994) co-written by his brother, Owen. Wilson has also appeared in Telling Lies in America, Best Men and Home Fries, Legally Blonde, Legally Blonde 2: Red, White & Blonde, Alex and Emma, The Family Stone, My Super Ex-Girlfriend, Vacancy and Blonde Ambition. Wilson's latest film is Henry Poole is Here, which will be released later in 2008. This is Wilson's first time playing in the tournament.

Kinnear is an Academy Award-nominated actor who received his breakthrough when he became the first host of "Talk Soup" in the early 1990s, which led to "Later with Greg Kinnear" four years later. In 1997, Kinnear starred in the blockbuster comedy drama As Good as It Gets, for which he received an Oscar nomination for "Best Supporting Actor". In 2006, he starred in Little Miss Sunshine and co-starred alongside Mark Wahlberg in the film version of Invincible, based on the true story of a man who tries out for the Philadelphia Eagles NFL football team. This is Kinnear's first time playing in the BMW Charity Pro-Am.

Russell, who is playing in the BMW Charity Pro-Am for the third time, began his acting career as a child with the Walt Disney Co., but once he outgrew child roles, he quit acting to pursue his love of baseball. He played second base with the minor league baseball teams of the California Angels and San Diego Padres until he hurt his arm. Russell has appeared in Silkwood (for which he received a Golden Globe nomination), Escape from New York, Overboard, Back Draft, Captain Ron, Tombstone, Executive Decision, 3,000 Miles to Graceland, Vanilla Sky, and Miracle. Russell has lived with actress Goldie Hawn since 1983.

Bell is best known as Marine Corps attorney Lt. Colonel Sarah 'Mac' Mackenzie on the TV series J.A.G. Bell currently plays Sally Pressman in the Lifetime drama Army Wives, and she has also had supporting roles in the hit movies Bruce Almighty and Evan Almighty as television news anchor Susan Ortega. This will be her fifth appearance.

Elliott, who is best known for his role as Commander Harmon "Harm" Rabb on the hit TV show J.A.G. will participate in his second BMW Charity Pro-Am golf tournament. Elliott played Assistant District Attorney James Conlon on the television series Close to Home in 2007.

Gretzky, arguably the greatest ice hockey player of all time, and his wife Janet, an actress, will return for their fourth appearance in the BMW Charity Pro-Am. The Hall of Fame center rewrote the NHL record book by setting 61 records, including being the NHL's all-time leading goal scorer with 894. He is currently coach and part-owner of the Phoenix Coyotes NHL hockey team.

The first seven BMW Charity Pro-Ams have raised more than $5.7 million for 80+ area charities.
For more information on the BMW Charity Pro-Am golf tournament, sponsorship opportunities, charitable funding or volunteer opportunities, call (864) 297-1660 or visit the tournament's Web site.

Got this in a Google alert from the PGA website.