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Oscar Nominees Announced; "Islands of the Caribbean" Adventure

1/31/2006

Nominations Announced for 78th Academy Awards®

Beverly Hills, CA

Nominations for the 78th Annual Academy Awards were announced today (Tuesday, January 31) by Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Sid Ganis and Oscar®-winner Mira Sorvino.

Ganis and Sorvino, who won her Academy Award in 1995 for her supporting role in "Mighty Aphrodite," announced ten of the 24 categories live at a 5:30 a.m. news conference attended by over 430 international media. Nominations in all categories then were distributed to news media in attendance and via the Internet on the official Academy Awards Web site -- www.oscar.com.

Academy members selected the nominees in their respective branches, with the exception of the Animated Feature and Foreign Language Film categories, where nominations were selected by vote of screening committees. All voting members are eligible to select the Best Picture nominees. Ballots were mailed to 5,856 members in late December and were returned directly to PricewaterhouseCoopers, the international accounting firm, for tabulation.

Official screenings of all pictures with a nomination will begin this weekend for members at the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater. Screenings in some categories also will be held in the Academy's Linwood Dunn Theater in Hollywood and in London, New York and San Francisco.

The Academy's entire active and life membership is eligible to select the winners in all categories, although in five of them -- the two short film, the two documentary and the foreign language film categories -- members can vote only after attesting they have seen all of the nominated films in those categories.

Academy Awards® for outstanding film achievements of 2005 will be presented on Sunday, March 5, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland® and televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 5 p.m. PST / 8 p.m. EST.


Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
78th Annual Academy Awards Nominations

(ed note: Italics added for "Pirate"-related nominations)

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Philip Seymour Hoffman - CAPOTE
Terrence Howard - HUSTLE & FLOW
Heath Ledger - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
Joaquin Phoenix - WALK THE LINE
David Strathairn - GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

George Clooney - SYRIANA
Matt Dillon - CRASH
Paul Giamatti - CINDERELLA MAN
Jake Gyllenhaal - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
William Hurt - A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

Judi Dench - MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS
Felicity Huffman - TRANSAMERICA
Keira Knightley - PRIDE & PREJUDICE
Charlize Theron - NORTH COUNTRY
Reese Witherspoon - WALK THE LINE

PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Amy Adams - JUNEBUG
Catherine Keener - CAPOTE
Frances McDormand - NORTH COUNTRY
Rachel Weisz - THE CONSTANT GARDENER
Michelle Williams - BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN

BEST ANIMATED FEATURE FILM OF THE YEAR

HOWL'S MOVING CASTLE
TIM BURTON'S CORPSE BRIDE
WALLACE & GROMIT IN THE CURSE OF THE WERE-RABBIT

ACHIEVEMENT IN ART DIRECTION

GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.
HARRY POTTER AND THE GOBLET OF FIRE
KING KONG
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
PRIDE & PREJUDICE

ACHIEVEMENT IN CINEMATOGRAPHY

BATMAN BEGINS
BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
THE NEW WORLD

ACHIEVEMENT IN COSTUME DESIGN

CHARLIE AND THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
MRS. HENDERSON PRESENTS
PRIDE & PREJUDICE
WALK THE LINE

ACHIEVEMENT IN DIRECTING

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
CAPOTE
CRASH
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.
MUNICH

BEST DOCUMENTARY FEATURE

DARWIN'S NIGHTMARE
ENRON: THE SMARTEST GUYS IN THE ROOM
MARCH OF THE PENGUINS
MURDERBALL
STREET FIGHT

BEST DOCUMENTARY SHORT SUBJECT

THE DEATH OF KEVIN CARTER: CASUALTY OF THE BANG BANG CLUB
GOD SLEEPS IN RWANDA
THE MUSHROOM CLUB
A NOTE OF TRIUMPH: THE GOLDEN AGE OF NORMAN CORWIN

ACHIEVEMENT IN FILM EDITING

CINDERELLA MAN
THE CONSTANT GARDENER
CRASH
MUNICH
WALK THE LINE

BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM OF THE YEAR

DON'T TELL
JOYEUX NOeL
PARADISE NOW
SOPHIE SCHOLL - THE FINAL DAYS
TSOTSI

ACHIEVEMENT IN MAKEUP

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
CINDERELLA MAN
STAR WARS: EPISODE III REVENGE OF THE SITH

ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES (ORIGINAL SCORE)

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
THE CONSTANT GARDENER
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
MUNICH
PRIDE & PREJUDICE

ACHIEVEMENT IN MUSIC WRITTEN FOR MOTION PICTURES (ORIGINAL SONG)

"In the Deep" - CRASH
"It's Hard Out Here for a Pimp" - HUSTLE & FLOW
"Travelin' Thru" - TRANSAMERICA

BEST MOTION PICTURE OF THE YEAR

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
CAPOTE
CRASH
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.
MUNICH

BEST ANIMATED SHORT FILM

BADGERED
THE MOON AND THE SON: AN IMAGINED CONVERSATION
THE MYSTERIOUS GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORATIONS OF JASPER MORELLO
9
ONE MAN BAND

BEST LIVE ACTION SHORT FILM

AUSREISSER (THE RUNAWAY)
CASHBACK
THE LAST FARM
OUR TIME IS UP
SIX SHOOTER

ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND EDITING

KING KONG
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
WAR OF THE WORLDS

ACHIEVEMENT IN SOUND MIXING

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
KING KONG
MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA
WALK THE LINE
WAR OF THE WORLDS

ACHIEVEMENT IN VISUAL EFFECTS

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE
KING KONG
WAR OF THE WORLDS

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN
CAPOTE
THE CONSTANT GARDENER
A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE
MUNICH

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

CRASH
GOOD NIGHT, AND GOOD LUCK.
MATCH POINT
THE SQUID AND THE WHALE
SYRIANA

(source: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences)
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According to Disney World Trivia, the Caribbean Beach Resort's Barefoot Bay Boatyard will begin hosting an "Islands of the Caribbean" children's cruise on February 7. Full details can be found at this link.
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Legoland To Add Pirates Area

1/27/2006

Press Release

LEGOLAND® California announces 2006 Pirate Shores expansion

Family theme park wants guests...to be pirates!

CARLSBAD, Calif.

LEGOLAND® California plans to open a seventh block of attractions by summer 2006. Pirate Shores marks the largest expansion since the Park opened in 1999 with four all-new water-based attractions.

The exciting area includes four all-new water attractions designed around the ever-popular pirate theme. The cornerstone of the new area is the water-play ride Splash Battle, the only attraction of its kind in North America. Splash Battle features pirate ships that give children and their families the chance to cruise through pirate-infested waters equipped with their very own water cannons.

Each pirate-ship vehicle can carry four passengers on an exciting high-seas adventure through twists, turns and magnificent scenes including exploding volcanoes, roving bands of pirates and a scary sail-through skull. Riders taking this voyage are destined to get wet as both they and the spectators are armed to the teeth with water cannons to take their best watery shot at one another.

Treasure Falls introduces young guests to a traditional mini-flume log ride. Even pirates need a vacation and this water attraction allows guests to see how hard-working buccaneers spend their leisure time. Each log-shaped ride vehicle transports two adults and two children through a swashbuckling adventure featuring two daring drops. Riders will plunge nearly 12 feet past pirates relaxing in a thermal spa or lounging in their beach chairs amidst a tropical jungle.

Pirate Shores includes two new play areas where guests can soak up some fun playing in and with water. Swabbies Deck is designed for younger guests with pop-up water jets, water fountains, and squirt cannons. Soak-N-Sail takes water play to a new level with gallons of water coursing through more than 60 interactive features. The play structure is modeled after a shipwrecked pirate vessel with a mast measuring 38 feet tall. Soak-N-Sail's central feature is a giant bucket poised to pour more than 300 gallons of water on eager guests.

Throughout Pirate Shores, detailed LEGO® models abound including a lively pirate band providing festive sea shanties, a group of renegade mice raiding provisions and a spectacular sinking galleon. Guests can test their mettle at games that challenge their pirating skills. The message to guests is "LEGOLAND California wants you...to be a pirate!" Also new at LEGOLAND in 2006 is the premiere of a new 4-D movie titled "Spellbreaker".

LEGOLAND® California is a 128-acre interactive theme park dedicated to families with children between the ages of two and 12. Just like with LEGO® play materials, kids are the ones who create the action at the Park. They drive, pedal, squirt, climb, jump, stomp, slide, steer, pull, click, push, gallop, laugh, build and program their way through more than 50 rides, shows and attractions. There are three other LEGOLAND Parks in the world--LEGOLAND Billund in Denmark, LEGOLAND Windsor outside of London and LEGOLAND Deutschland near Gunzburg, Germany. The LEGOLAND theme parks are a part of Merlin Entertainments Group. For the most current information, log on to Lego's site or call (760) 918-LEGO.

(source: Legoland Media)
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Bounding Main Releases Second CD

1/25/2006

Not your Grandpa's Sea Shanties: Bounding Main Releases Second CD, Lost at Sea

Press Release

Chicago, IL & Milwaukee, WI

January 23, 2006

The popular maritime-themed vocal group, Bounding Main, announced the release of its latest CD, Lost at Sea. This independent recording features fourteen traditional nautical songs performed in the theatrical, harmony-rich style that has become their signature sound.

Lost at Sea features two songs that include environmental sounds as well as music. "We chose to not have instrumental accompaniment on this CD," said Maggie Hannington, who leads in "High Barbaree," "because we normally perform a capella. The tracks that have sound effects were our attempt to guide the audience to the setting from which these songs originated."

"When we came together in January 2003 none of us dreamed Bounding Main would become as popular as it has," said Dean Calin, one of the three male singers in the sextet, and who leads in "Randy Dandy O" on Lost at Sea. "We perform at fairs, festivals and museums from St. Louis to Door County. At a church in Omaha, Nebraska someone even recognized the twins, Christie and Gina Dalby, during a wedding rehearsal. 'Your group rocked!' they said." Christie leads in "Herzogin Cecile" and Gina leads in both "Northwest Passage" and "The Dreadnaught."

"We recently performed for the second time on "Higher Ground" on Wisconsin Public Radio," said David Yondorf, who leads on "Haul Away Joe." "The host, Jonathan Overby, asked us to join them again for their 600th show. It was quite an honor to return to that venue."

Many of their songs are classified as "sea shanties". Sea shanties were tunes sung by sailors on tall ships to provide rhythm to labor-intensive tasks such as winding up the anchor chain, raising sails or pumping water out of the hold. Knowing that other groups perform these songs in an exacting, traditional manner, Bounding Main chose to give the songs a more contemporary sound, adding harmonies and depth, women's voices and a more theatrical performance.

Music director Jon Krivitzky, who leads in "Bully in the Alley", said, "We take pride in finding new and inventive ways to interpret and perform these songs in such a way that everyone can enjoy them." He added, "Our first CD, Maiden Voyage, was reprinted four times, so we knew our audience wanted more of the kind of music we offered."

"People come up to us after a show and tell us that it looks like we have so much fun on stage," said Christie Dalby. "I tell them 'we are!' It is the most enjoyment I've ever had with a performing group."

As independent artists their recordings are self-produced, but having partnered with CDBaby (www.cdbaby.com) they have enjoyed world-wide distribution through the sale of their CDs and, importantly, through digital distribution. Gina Dalby said, "We are seeing our music purchased through resellers such as MSN Music, MusicNet and iTunes domestically as well as iTunes UK, iTunes Europe and iTunes Canada. CDBaby just partnered with Best Buy's online music store to offer our music through their portal as well."

For additional information, a press kit or sample copies contact:

Dean Calin
E-mail: bigjake@boundingmain.com
Phone: 262-366-8591
Website: www.boundingmain.com

"Lost at Sea" CD international distribution: www.cdbaby.com/cd/boundingmain

Lost at Sea is the latest CD release of Midwest-based Bounding Main, a popular music group that performs sea shanties and maritime ballads with a contemporary theatrical flair. There are fourteen traditional nautical songs performed on this disk:

High Barbaree
(Traditional)
Soloist: Maggie Hannington

A Capital Ship
(Contemporary, by: Charles Edward Carryl)
The girls.

Haul Away Joe
(Traditional)
Soloist: David Yondorf

Irish Rover
(Traditional Irish Tune)
All

Marching Inland
(Contemporary, by: Tom Lewis)
All

The Dreadnaught
(Traditional)
Soloist: Gina Dalby

Herzogin Cecile
(Contemporary, by: Ken Stephens)
Soloist: Christie Dalby

Cape Cod Girls
(Traditional)
Soloists: Dean Calin and David Yondorf

Bully in the Alley
(Traditional Halyard Shanty)
Soloist: Jon Krivitzky

Cadgwith Anthem
(Traditional Cornish Ballad.)
The girls

Northwest Passage
(Contemporary Ballad, by: Stan Rogers)
Soloist: Gina Dalby

All for Me Grog
(Traditional)
All

Little Boy Billie
(Traditional Fo'c'sle Song)
The boys

Randy Dandy O
(Traditional)
Soloist: Dean Calin

Bounding Main is based between Chicago and Milwaukee and performs sea shanties and nautical ballads at maritime museums, tall ship festivals, music festivals, renaissance faires, on the radio and at pirate-themed venues from their home port in the Western Great Lakes region of the US. They have released two CDs since their founding in January of 2003.

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Disney To Acquire Pixar

1/24/2006

Press Release

January 24, 2006

DISNEY TO ACQUIRE PIXAR

Long-time Creative Partners Form New Worldwide Leader in Quality Family Entertainment

Ed Catmull Named President of the Combined Pixar and Disney Animation Studios and John Lasseter Named Chief Creative Officer; Steve Jobs to Join Disney's Board of Directors

Disney Increases Stock Repurchase Authorization


Burbank, CA and Emeryville, CA

Furthering its strategy of delivering outstanding creative content, Robert A. Iger, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Walt Disney Company (NYSE: DIS), announced today that Disney has agreed to acquire computer animation leader Pixar (NASDAQ: PIXR) in an all-stock transaction, expected to be completed by this summer. Under terms of the agreement, 2.3 Disney shares will be issued for each Pixar share. Based on Pixar's fully diluted shares outstanding, the transaction value is $7.4 billion ($6.3 billion net of Pixar's cash of just over $1 billion).*

This acquisition combines Pixar's preeminent creative and technological resources with Disney's unparalleled portfolio of world-class family entertainment, characters, theme parks and other franchises, resulting in vast potential for new landmark creative output and technological innovation that can fuel future growth across Disney's businesses. Garnering an impressive 20 Academy Awards, Pixar's creative team and global box office success have made it a leader in quality family entertainment through incomparable storytelling abilities, creative vision and innovative technical artistry.

"With this transaction, we welcome and embrace Pixar's unique culture, which for two decades, has fostered some of the most innovative and successful films in history. The talented Pixar team has delivered outstanding animation coupled with compelling stories and enduring characters that have captivated audiences of all ages worldwide and redefined the genre by setting a new standard of excellence," Iger said. "The addition of Pixar significantly enhances Disney animation, which is a critical creative engine for driving growth across our businesses. This investment significantly advances our strategic priorities, which include - first and foremost - delivering high-quality, compelling creative content to consumers, the application of new technology and global expansion to drive long-term shareholder value."

Pixar President Ed Catmull will serve as President of the new Pixar and Disney animation studios, reporting to Iger and Dick Cook, Chairman of The Walt Disney Studios. In addition, Pixar Executive Vice President John Lasseter will be Chief Creative Officer of the animation studios, as well as Principal Creative Advisor at Walt Disney Imagineering, where he will provide his expertise in the design of new attractions for Disney theme parks around the world, reporting directly to Iger. Pixar Chairman and CEO Steve Jobs will be appointed to Disney's Board of Directors as a non-independent member. With the addition of Jobs, 11 of Disney's 14 directors will be independent. Both Disney and Pixar animation units will retain their current operations and locations.

"Disney and Pixar can now collaborate without the barriers that come from two different companies with two different sets of shareholders," said Jobs. "Now, everyone can focus on what is most important, creating innovative stories, characters and films that delight millions of people around the world."

"Pixar's culture of collaboration and innovation has its roots in Disney Animation. Our story and production processes are derivatives of the Walt Disney 'school' of animated filmmaking," said Dr. Catmull. "Just like the Disney classics, Pixar's films are made for family audiences the world over and, most importantly, for the child in everyone. We can think of nothing better for us than to continue to make great movies with Disney."

The acquisition brings to Disney the talented creative teams behind the tremendously popular original Pixar blockbusters, who will now be involved in the nurturing and future development of these properties, including potential feature animation sequels. Pixar's 20-year unrivaled creative track record includes the hits Toy Story, Toy Story 2, A Bug's Life, Monsters, Inc., Finding Nemo and The Incredibles. Disney will also have increased ability to fully capitalize on Pixar-created characters and franchises on high-growth digital platforms such as video games, broadband and wireless, as well as traditional media outlets, including theme parks, consumer products and live stage plays.

"For many of us at Pixar, it was the magic of Disney that influenced us to pursue our dreams of becoming animators, artists, storytellers and filmmakers," said Lasseter. "For 20 years we have created our films in the manner inspired by Walt Disney and the great Disney animators - great stories and characters in an environment made richer by technical advances. It is exciting to continue in this tradition with Disney, the studio that started it all."

"The wonderfully productive 15-year partnership that exists between Disney and Pixar provides a strong foundation that embodies our collective spirit of creativity and imagination," said Cook. "Under this new, strengthened animation unit, we expect to continue to grow and flourish."

Disney first entered into a feature film agreement with Pixar in 1991, resulting in the release of Toy Story, which was hailed as an instant classic upon its release in November 1995. In 1997, Disney extended its relationship with Pixar by entering into a co-production agreement, under which Pixar agreed to produce on an exclusive basis five original computer-animated feature films for distribution by Disney. Pixar is currently in production on the final film under that agreement, Cars, to be distributed by Disney on June 9.

The Boards of Directors of Disney and Pixar have approved the transaction, which is subject to clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antritrust Improvements Act, certain non-United States merger control regulations, and other customary closing conditions. The agreement will require the approval of Pixar's shareholders. Jobs, who owns approximately 50.6% of the outstanding Pixar shares, has agreed to vote a number of shares equal to 40% of the outstanding shares in favor of the transaction.

The Disney Board was advised by Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Bear, Stearns & Co. The Pixar Board was advised by Credit Suisse.

Separately, the Disney Board approved the repurchase of approximately 225 million additional shares, bringing the Company's total available authorization to 400 million shares. Since August 2004 through the end of December 2005, Disney has invested nearly $4 billion to purchase nearly 155 million shares. Disney anticipates further significant share repurchases going forward, reflecting Disney's continued commitment to returning value to shareholders over time.

* Based on Disney's closing share price of $25.52 as of 1/23/06.

About The Walt Disney Company:

The Walt Disney Company (NYSE:DIS), together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise with four business segments: media networks, parks and resorts, studio entertainment and consumer products. Disney is a Dow 30 company, had annual revenues of nearly $32 billion in its most recent fiscal year, and a market capitalization of approximately $50 billion as of January 23, 2006.

Investor Conference Call:


An investor conference call will take place at approximately 2:15 p.m. PT / 5:15 p.m. ET today, January 24, 2006. To listen to the Webcast, turn your browser to www.disney.com/investors/presentations or http://corporate.pixar.com. If you cannot participate in the live Webcast, re-plays will be available for domestic callers at (888) 286-8010 (PIN 56666399) and for international callers at (617) 801-6888 (PIN 56666399), or at www.disney.com/investors/presentations until 4:00 p.m. PT on Tuesday, February 7, 2006. An .mp3 version of this Webcast replay will also be available approximately 24 hours after the Webcast concludes at www.disney.com/investors/presentations.

Forward-Looking Statements:

Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are made on the basis of the views and assumptions of the management of The Walt Disney Company and Pixar regarding future events and business performance as of the time the statements are made and they do not undertake any obligation to update these statements. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied. Such differences may result from legal or regulatory proceedings or other factors that affect the timing or ability to complete the transactions contemplated herein, actions taken by either of the companies, including restructuring or strategic initiatives (including capital investments or asset acquisitions or dispositions), as well as from developments beyond the companies' control, including: adverse weather conditions or natural disasters; health concerns; international, political or military developments; technological developments; and changes in domestic and global economic conditions, competitive conditions and consumer preferences. Such developments may affect assumptions regarding the operations of the businesses of The Walt Disney Company and Pixar separately or as combined entities including, among other things, the timing of the transaction, the performance of the companies' theatrical and home entertainment releases, expenses of providing medical and pension benefits, and demand for products and performance of some or all company businesses either directly or through their impact on those who distribute our products. Additional factors that may affect results are set forth in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of The Walt Disney Company for the year ended October 1, 2005 under the heading "Item 1A--Risk Factors" and in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q of Pixar for the quarter ended October 1, 2005 under the heading "Risk Factors" section of Part I, Item 2.

For Additional Information:


This material is not a substitute for the prospectus/proxy statement Disney and Pixar will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors are urged to read the prospectus/proxy statement which will contain important information, including detailed risk factors, when it becomes available. The prospectus/proxy statement and other documents which will be filed by Disney and Pixar with the Securities and Exchange Commission will be available free of charge at the SEC's website, www.sec.gov, or by directing a request when such a filing is made to The Walt Disney Company, 500 South Buena Vista Street, Burbank, CA 91521-9722, Attention: Shareholder Services or by directing a request when such a filing is made to Pixar, 1200 Park Avenue, Emeryville, CA 94608.

Pixar, its directors, and certain of its executive officers may be considered participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transactions. Information about the directors and executive officers of Pixar and their ownership of Pixar stock is set forth in the proxy statement for Pixar's 2005 annual meeting of shareholders. Investors may obtain additional information regarding the interests of such participants by reading the prospectus/proxy statement when it becomes available.

(source: Disney Corporate)

Bruckheimer Film Seeking Extras

1/19/2006

As reported here (see March 28, 2005 update), Deja Vu, directed by Tony Scott, is in production. Jerry Bruckheimer, producer of the Pirates of the Caribbean films, is seeking paid extras of all ages for the film, set to begin shooting in the New Orleans area in February. The open call is set for January 21.

Full casting call details can be found at this link.
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Screen Actors Guild Announces Auctions

1/18/2006

Press Release

SAG AWARDS™ CELEBRITY GIFT COLLECTIONS, MEMORABILIA AND RED CARPET BLEACHER SEATS AUCTIONED TO THE PUBLIC AT www.sagawards.org/auction TO BENEFIT THE SCREEN ACTORS GUILD FOUNDATION

The Screen Actors Guild Awards® online auction to benefit the Screen Actors Guild Foundation has kicked into high gear at http://www.sagawards.org/auction. The weekly auctions feature SAG Awards™ luxury gift collections, one-of-a-kind autographed show memorabilia and red-carpet bleacher seats for this year's Actors® ceremonies.

The Screen Actors Guild Foundation provides a meaningful way for SAG members to contribute to the literacy of children in their communities through BookPALS (Performing Artists for Literacy in Schools) and its online component, Storyline. SAG Foundation programs provide emergency relief to actors in economic distress, video and audio preservation of the creative legacy of industry members, scholarships for performers and their children and emergency funds for members with catastrophic illnesses. (Details available at http://sagfoundation.org and http://www.bookpals.net .)
The 12th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® will be simulcast live nationally from the Los Angeles Shrine Exposition Center by TNT and TBS on Sunday, Jan. 29, at 8 p.m. ET/ PT, 7 p.m. CT and 6 p.m. MT.

The SAG Awards™ Celebrity Gift and Memorabilia auctions are being conducted weekly and began Thursday, Jan. 5, with an auction of the SAG Awards™ Nominee Gift Collection presented to the actors nominated for this year's SAG Awards™ in the individual and ensemble categories and red-carpet bleacher seats at this year's SAG Awards™.

Highlights of this week's auction, closing Jan. 19, are a backstage tour during SAG Awards™ rehearsals, red- carpet bleacher sets, SAG Awards™ posters, press kits and tote bags.

The eBay bidding will culminate Jan 26-Feb 2 with the Presenter and Talent Retreat Gift Collections. These luxury gifts and services are given as a thank you to the presenters at the 12th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards®. Among them are resort getaways to the Adara Hotel in Whistler, B.C.; South Carolina's Inn at Palmetto Bluff and the Salish Lodge & Spa in Washington State. Also available are jewelry from AireHart by Sidney, Berchet, Tateossian and the Natural Color Diamond Association; a Swarovski crystal-coated electronic sudoku from Techno Source; an IOGEAR Bluetooth Wireless Headset; timepieces from Youngblood and EnterTrainer; menswear from Ike Behar; Fendi scarves; White + Warren sweaters; eyewear by Michael Kors; fragrances from Amouvage and 06130; gourmet dining and confections from davidburke & donatella, Debauve et Gallais and Sing Praises; a keepsake box from the Silver Gallery; and for the presenters' families, a children's teepee from Jen Klair Kids and a pet bed from Le Pettee Settee.

The Talent Retreat Collection features the getaways and gifts that celebrities will personally select in the SAG Awards™' uniquely furnished backstage talent oasis. Karen Wood's Backstage Creations has obtained sponsor participation for the SAG Awards™ Gift Collections for the fifth year in a row and is creating the Talent Retreat for the sixth consecutive year.

Following are the gifts and services in this year's Presenter Gift Collection:

06130 Inc.
06130 parfums.
www.06130.com

Adara Hotel
3 nights at Adara Hotel Whistler
www.adarahotel.com

AireHeart by Sydney Available
exclusively at Jack Henry

Pearl Bracelet

Berchet
Titanium & 18k gold bracelet.
www.igius.com

Chipotle
Gift Certificate
www.chipotle.com

Core Response
3 private pilates sessions

david burke & donatella
Dinner for two, flavor sprays and gift certificate
http://www.dbdrestaurant.com ; www.flavorspraydiet.com ;
www.gourmetpops.com

Debauve & Gallais
Chocolates
www.kingschocolate.com

EnterTrainer
Watch and monitor
www.theentertrainer.com

Eres Boutique
Eres bra
www.eresparis.com

FAB Home
100% cashmere powder blue throw

Fendi
Scarves
www.marchon.com

Ike Behar
White shirt & silk tie gift certificate
www.ikebehar.com

IOGEAR
GBE201 Bluetooth Wireless Headset
www.iqua.com

Jan Marini Skin Research
Skincare
www.janmarini.com

Jen Klair Kids
Children's tee pee
www.jenklairkids.com

LA Opera
Tickets for two
www.laopera.com

Le Pettee Settee
Portable pet bed
www.lepetteesettee.com

Lotion Glow
Spa treatment and Soy Candles
www.lotionglow.com

Marchon Eyewear
Michael Kors
www.marchon.com

Petunia Pickle Bottom
Shoulder Bag
www.petuniapicklebottom.com

Pomp Salon
Salon Gift Pack
www.pompsalon.com

Salish Lodge & Spa
4-night stay for two
www.salishlodge.com

Silver Gallery
Southern Craftsmen Keepsake Box
www.silvergallery.com

Sing Praises Confections & Event Planning
Caramel apples.
www.ohsingpraises.com

SpectraCell Laboratories
Health services gift certificate.
www.spectracell.com

StriVectin-SD, Hylexin, Idebenol
and Sovage Instant Lip Plumper

Skincare
www.strivectin.com; www.janmarini.com; www.hylexin.com ;
www.idebenol.com ; www.lipplumper.com

Tateossian - London
Cuff Links
www.tateossian.com

Technicolor
90th anniversary book.
www.technicolor.com

Techno Source
Swarovski crystal coated electronic
touch-screen sudoku.
www.technosourcehk.com

The Inn at Palmetto Bluff
3 night cottage stay.
www.palmettobluffresort.com

The Sports Club Company
3-month bi-coastal membership.
www.thesportsclubla.com

Vespa LX Motorscooter
Lease.
www.vespausa.com

White + Warren
Gift certificate and showroom shopping
www.whiteandwarren.com

Youngblood Timepieces
YB Timepiece.
www.ybtimepieces.com

The SAG Awards™ Gift Collections are
coordinated by Backstage Creations
www.backstagecreations.com

The 12th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards® is executive-produced by Jeff Margolis and produced by Kathy Connell. Yale Summers, Karla Tamburrelli, Daryl Anderson, Shelley Fabares and Paul Napier are producers for SAG. Gloria Fujita O'Brien and Mick McCullough are supervising producers. Alan Carter is the director, and Stephen Pouliot is the writer. Benn Fleishman is executive in charge of production.

Screen Actors Guild (SAG) is the nation's largest labor union representing working actors. Established in 1933, SAG has a rich history in the American labor movement, from standing up to studios to break long-term engagement contracts in the 1940s to fighting for artists' rights amid the digital revolution sweeping the entertainment industry in the 21st century. With 20 branches nationwide, SAG represents nearly 120,000 working actors in film, television, industrials, commercials, video games and music videos. The Guild exists to enhance actors' working conditions, compensation and benefits and to be a powerful, unified voice on behalf of artists' rights. Headquartered in Los Angeles, SAG is a proud affiliate of the AFL-CIO. More information is available online at www.sag.org .

Turner Network Television (TNT), television's destination for drama and one of cable's top-rated networks, offers original movies and series, including the detective drama series The Closer, starring Kyra Sedgwick; and this summer's eagerly anticipated anthology series Nightmares & Dreamscapes: From the Stories of Stephen King. TNT is also home to powerful one-hour dramas, such as Law & Order, Without a Trace, Alias, Las Vegas, Cold Case, ER, NYPD Blue, Charmed, Judging Amy and Angel; broadcast premiere movies; and championship sports coverage, including NASCAR and the NBA. TNT is also available in high-definition.

TBS is television's "very funny" network, serving as home to such hot contemporary comedies as Sex and the City, Everybody Loves Raymond, Family Guy, Seinfeld and Friends; original comedy series and specials; blockbuster movies; and hosted movie showcases.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, is a major producer of news and entertainment product around the world and a leading provider of programming for the television industry.

(source: Screen Actors Guild)
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Send news items to KeepToTheCodeNews@gmail.com. Please include contacts and sources if possible.

Bruckheimer on CNN; Pirates Pin Event; Shareholder Meeting Announced

1/12/2006

CNN caught up with Pirates of the Caribbean producer Jerry Bruckheimer on a recent press tour for his latest film, Glory Road. You can read the interview at this link.
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According to an item on DizPins.com, the Disneyland Resort will host "Pirates of the Caribbean: Legend of the Golden Pins" between June 23 and August 13, 2006. For information, see the January 9 Disneyland update at DizPins.
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The Walt Disney Company has announced the date and location for its 2006 shareholder meeting. The meeting is scheduled for Friday, March 10, 2006 at 10 am PST at The Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim, California. Click here to view the announcement as a PDF file (requires Acrobat Reader).

(source: Disney Investor Relations)
_______________

Send news items to KeepToTheCodeNews@gmail.com. Please include contacts and sources if possible.

Editorial Policy: 2006

1/05/2006

Editorial Policy: DizHub.com News / KeepToTheCode.com News

1. Primary Focus:

a.) DizHub news reports on newsworthy items relating/pertaining to the Walt Disney Company, its theme parks, official and unofficial special events, films and other properties.

b.) Keep To The Code news reports on newsworthy items relating to but not necessarily limited to the following:

Primary focus:

The Pirates of the Caribbean film trilogy
The Pirates of the Caribbean attractions

Secondary focus:

Individuals involved in the film trilogy (including projects they are involved with for non-Disney studios such as Warner, Paramount, et cetera)
The Disney theme parks
Modern-day piracy (nautical piracy--not to be extended to digital piracy)
Pirate-themed or pirate-related non-Disney activities/games (ie tall ship exhibitions, mock battles, console game releases)
Film releases of general interest to Pirates of the Caribbean fans

2. We will run press releases in their entirety unless requested to do otherwise. Spelling and grammatical corrections will be made if needed to preserve readability and integrity.

3. We do not trade in gossip or unsubstantiated rumor. Any rumor reported must be labeled as such and backed up with reputable sources. Corrections, when necessary, will be made within a reasonable time frame and labeled as such.

4. When a perceived conflict of interest arises, we will always without exception err on the side of full disclosure.

5. DizHub News / KTTC News is not beholden to any outside company, corporation or other entity and will not be influenced by outside pressure. The editorial staff reserves all right of final judgement on the newsworthiness of any particular item.


Features:

DizHub features include news, reviews and information regarding films produced or distributed by Disney Pictures, Buena Vista, Miramax and Touchstone as well as official and unofficial special events and gatherings related to or held on Disney properties.

Keep To The Code features include news, reviews and information regarding films produced or distributed by Disney Pictures, Buena Vista, Miramax and Touchstone with emphasis on the Pirates of the Caribbean trilogy, its crew, stars and locations. Features may also include pirate history and lore or items deemed of interest to fans of the Pirates film franchise.


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