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According to The Bahama Journal (click to view), Pirates of the Caribbean filming will be wrapping this week in Grand Bahama before moving back to Los Angeles later this summer.

The newspaper quotes publicist Michael Singer as saying "We are finishing mid-week (and) this completes our location photography in the Caribbean region."

Filming of parts two and three of the Pirates trilogy has helped the local economy tremendously, according to several sources. One of the most important lasting legacies of Pirates in the area is the Collyer Tank, a massive water tank used to film scenes that are too difficult or risky to shoot on the open sea. The Bahamas Film Studios at Gold Rock Creek will maintain the tank, which will be used in other films in the future, further fueling the local economy.
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This just in: Keep To The Code has the first look at our exclusive members-only gift! "Cannibal Jack," our free thank-you gift for members only, will be released soon. Click here to view the concept art developed for this exclusive item and to find out how you can get your very own limited edition keepsake!
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The National Geographic Channel has announced the broadcast of Blackbeard: Terror at Sea beginning March 12. Click here to visit the site, which includes video clips, pirate lore - even a special Hangman game.

According to National Geographic, "Blackbeard: Terror at Sea is the original and colorful story of this fearsome pirate who preyed on Caribbean trade routes and stars actor James Purefoy (Marc Antony in HBO's Rome). The two-hour high definition film charts the exploits of Englishman Edward Teach, an intelligent and charismatic leader who confounded the powers of England and Virginia as he overtook and pillaged 40 ships in two years, stealing hidden cargo and precious exports to and from the Caribbean.

Sea chases, cannon battles and swordplay were common occurrences for Blackbeard and his men, but his carefully calculated visage - displaying cutlasses, pistols, a giant beard and burning cannon fuses coming out from under his hat - was so frightening to his prey that they sometimes surrendered without a fight. In addition to colorful drama and incisive insights into its complex subject, Blackbeard: Terror at Sea unfolds against the tapestry of America's infancy and explores the surprisingly democratic life that pirates experienced at sea."

(source: National Geographic)
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Press Release

BURBANK, Calif., March 1

Eight-time Academy Award® winning composer Alan Menken ("The Little Mermaid," "Beauty and the Beast," "Aladdin," "Pocahontas," "The Hunchback of Notre Dame") has signed a non-exclusive, multi-picture deal with Walt Disney/Touchstone Pictures to score non-animated films and compose for live-action projects, it was announced today by Mitchell Leib, President of music and soundtracks for Walt Disney Pictures & Television/Buena Vista Music Group. For his first assignment under this new deal, Menken will score as well as write five original songs for Walt Disney Pictures' upcoming romantic musical-fantasy, "Enchanted," which is being directed by Kevin Lima ("Tarzan," "102 Dalmatians"). For that project, Menken will reunite with Tony and Oscar® winning lyricist Stephen Schwartz, his collaborator on "Pocahontas" and "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." Menken recently completed scoring Disney's upcoming live-action comedy, "The Shaggy Dog," due in theaters on March 10th.

Under the terms of this new arrangement, Menken is expanding his role from within other divisions of The Walt Disney Company. For Disney Theatrical Productions, he is currently in preproduction on the stage version of "The Little Mermaid." Menken is also developing a new animated musical, "The Frog Princess" for Walt Disney Feature Animation. For Disney Creative Entertainment, he is creating a stage musical of "The Snow Queen" set to debut at Tokyo DisneySea with Amon Miyamoto directing and John Weidman as the bookwriter and Glen Slater the lyricist. He is also writing music for a Sinbad attraction in Japan for Walt Disney Imagineering.

Menken's current slate of projects also includes composing an original score for the stage musical adaptation of "Sister Act" (based on the hit Touchstone Pictures' film) premiering this October at the Pasadena Playhouse.

Commenting on Menken's new expanded role, Leib said, "Alan is one of the greatest music composers and songwriters of all time, bar none. There is simply no one like him. The only reason he hasn't done more work for us in live-action to date is because the rest of Disney keeps him so busy working on animated films, theatrical stage plays, and theme park attractions. I feel very fortunate to now have him working on our live action films too."

Chris Montan, president of Walt Disney Music, added, "Alan became part of our world with 'The Little Mermaid' and has been making beautiful music for us ever since. He was an important part of our animation renaissance here at Disney and continues to be one of the most exciting, original, and prolific composer/songwriters of our times. We're thrilled to be working with him on such a wide variety of projects, and look forward to seeing him stretch his talents in new and innovative ways."

Dick Cook, chairman of The Walt Disney Studios, said, "Everyone is familiar with Alan's incredible talents when it comes to writing songs for animated projects and theatrical productions, but he is also a great film composer in his own right. He has written a terrific score for 'The Shaggy Dog' and has expressed interest in writing music for other live-action films. Alan is a true Disney legend, and his music has enriched so many of our films."

Menken is best known for his hit animated musicals including "The Little Mermaid," "Aladdin," "Pocahontas," "Hercules," "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" and "Beauty and the Beast" as well as the stage version of the latter which has the distinction of being the longest running American musical. Menken is also known for the stage and film version of "Little Shop of Horrors."

His deal with Disney was brokered by Richard Kraft of Kraft-Engel Management.

(source: Disney Studios)
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Media Alert

SKY, DISNEY MEDIA NETWORKS AND THE WALT DISNEY STUDIOS TEAM UP FOR MORE FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT, HDTV AND LEGAL BROADBAND MOVIE DOWNLOADS

Two New Channel Brands - Disney Cinemagic and ESPN Classic - To Launch As Part Of New Arrangement

Disney Channel and Playhouse Disney Become Available to Millions More Viewers As Part Of 'Kids Mix' Package of Basic Channels

Walt Disney Studio Movies Available From Sky HD and Sky by broadband

Jetix distribution on Sky digital extended

Disney Media Networks, The Walt Disney Studios and British Sky Broadcasting (Sky) today announced plans to bring a wider choice of channels to Sky digital customers and to work together to exploit new opportunities in high definition television and broadband. The wide-ranging series of agreements expands the portfolio of great content from The Walt Disney Company available to Sky digital customers and extends the relationship between the two organisations.

Two new channel brands - Disney Cinemagic and ESPN Classic - will be made available to Sky digital customers for the first time, while Disney Channel and Playhouse Disney will be available to millions more Sky digital viewers as part of the Kids Mix package of basic channels. There will also be more ways to enjoy great films from The Walt Disney Studios as movies distributed by Buena Vista International Television join Sky's legal broadband download service, Sky by broadband, and its forthcoming high definition television offering, Sky HD.

From 16th March, Disney Cinemagic, a new premium channel brand for families, will be the first place on television to see Disney's latest animated films such as Pixar's The Incredibles. Subscribers to Disney Cinemagic will also enjoy regular access to other great Disney favourites such as Lady and the Tramp and Cinderella. Disney Cinemagic will be available to Sky digital customers as a stand-alone premium channel or as a bonus channel for subscribers to Sky Movies 1 and 2.

From the same date, Disney Channel and Playhouse Disney will be available to Sky digital customers as part of the 'Kids Mix' of basic channels. Disney Channel will be even more kid-focussed, complementing Cinemagic, and offering live action favourites like That's So Raven, popular animation series and Disney Channel Original Movies, including High School Musical which is currently taking the States by storm. Playhouse Disney, a channel targeted to preschoolers, will premiere the new CG animated, learning-focussed series, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, in May.

ESPN Classic, launching on 13th March as part of Sky's 'News and Events Mix', will be the only sports channel in the UK devoted entirely to the greatest moments and legends of sport with a mix of all-time classic highlights, matches, movies, interviews, profiles and documentaries. ESPN Classic, part of ESPN Inc., the world's leading multinational, multimedia sports entertainment company, will be available 24/7 on channel 442. Launch night alone will include Borg vs. McEnroe - the Great Wimbledon Rivalry, England's 2003 Rugby World Cup Final victory over Australia and the 1984 European Cup Final between Liverpool and AS Roma.

Through a distribution agreement with Buena Vista International Television, Sky Movies will continue to offer a package of current and library Walt Disney Studio films, with customers enjoying access to forthcoming Sky Movies premieres such as Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe; The Aviator, Finding Neverland, Sin City and Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy. In addition to the extension of existing pay-TV and pay-per-view rights, the new agreement gives Sky the ability to offer these titles in High Definition format and on a video-on-demand basis. These titles will also be available, for a set period, via the Sky by broadband service, which since last month has allowed dual Sky Movies subscribers to download films to their personal computers to enjoy when they want at no extra cost.

Under an amended distribution agreement, Sky digital customers will continue to enjoy access to Jetix and Jetix+1 for up to a further five years from the expiry date of the current deal in 2007. Jetix offers a dynamic programming mix of action, adventure and cheeky humour, both animated and live action, for kids with a core focus on 7-11 year olds, with programming highlights including Power Rangers, Jackie Chan Adventures, Totally Spies and A.T.O.M Alpha Teens on Machines.

In commenting on the announcement, Anne Sweeney, Co Chair of Disney Media Networks and President, Disney-ABC Television Group, stated: "This agreement, which marks our largest distribution deal outside the US, is great news for viewers, who will now be able to access an even broader array of Disney content, either through their TVs or via broadband on personal computers. The strategic utilization of new technologies to meet consumer needs is of paramount importance to the growth of the Disney Media Networks Group, and we look forward to this deal enhancing an already rich association with Sky, and our viewers in the UK and Ireland."

Richard Freudenstein, Sky's Chief Operating Officer, said: "These agreements show the range and quality of Disney content. Working with outstanding brands like Disney and ESPN allows us to offer great entertainment for every family member and to break new ground in multi-platform content distribution. With today's announcement, we are creating another compelling reason for families to join Sky digital and demonstrating again the strengths in content and innovation that position Sky well for sustained growth."

George Bodenheimer, Co-Chair, Disney Media Networks and President, ESPN, Inc and ABC Sports, said: "ESPN has built up a passionate bond with sports fans and we are very excited to extend this with the launch of ESPN Classic in the UK on the Sky platform. We are confident that ESPN Classic, a dedicated new sports channel designed specifically for the UK market, will capture the attention of the UK sports fan as it has in over 40 countries across Europe."

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 $51 billion as of February 3, 2006.

British Sky Broadcasting

Sky is the operator of the leading multichannel television platform in the UK and Ireland. Around 21 million viewers in 8.1 million households enjoy an unprecedented choice of movies, news, entertainment and sports channels and interactive services on Sky digital, the UK and Ireland's first and most popular digital television platform. BSkyB's channels are available in 10.2 million households through cable and digital terrestrial television.

Sky by broadband is free to Sky digital customers in the UK and Republic of Ireland who subscribe to two Sky Movies or two Sky Sports channels. . Dual Sky Movies subscribers can download movies and dual Sky Sports subscribers can download sporting clips. Sky World customers can access both movies and sports clips.

(source: Disney Corporate)
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