UltraStar Cinemas Announces Launch of Live National In-Theater Screening Series Moderated by Rolling Stone Film Critic Peter Travers
Scottsdale, AZ (PRWEB) November 01, 2013 -- UltraStar’s UltraLuxe Scottsdale Pavilions have announced they have partnered with The New York Film Critics Series® (NYFCS®) to present a live, national, in-theater Screening Series. The events are moderated by Peter Travers, film critic for Rolling Stone Magazine, and ABC’s Popcorn. The Series presents interactive, in-theater; pre-release movies and big screen HD simulcast with the stars and filmmakers. The live recording will be screened on November 5th, 2013 at 8pm local time.
The opening night, November 5th, will feature Paramount Vantage’s NEBRASKA, with live appearances by the film’s stars Bruce Dern, Winner of Best Actor, 2013 International Cannes Film Festival, and Will Forte (SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE and MACGRUBER). After receiving a sweepstakes letter in the mail, a cantankerous father (Dern) thinks he’s struck it rich and wrangles his son (Forte) into taking a road trip to claim the fortune. Shot in black and white across four states, Nebraska tells the stories of family life in the heartland of America. June Squibb, Stacy Keach and Bob Odenkirk round out the cast. Nebraska is directed by Oscar® winner Alexander Payne (THE DESCENDANTS, SIDEWAYS). http://www.nyfilmcriticsseries.com
The UltraLuxe Scottsdale Pavilions will be featuring this regular series of ongoing preview screenings in which audiences experience all of the excitement of live Q&A sessions, hosted by Peter Travers. The big screen events deliver 9-13 curated pre-release films per year to discerning audiences on a monthly basis, each movie introduced live by Peter Travers. Audiences then see award contenders prior to their release followed by live, HD Q&A between Travers, audiences and talent from the films. Each piece will bring the energy and VIP nature of prestigious, NYC screenings for nationwide audiences to interact with stars and directors via two way simulcast. This will not be available on the internet or TV.
Producer Mark Ehrenkranz, who will continue to program the series, commented: “Exclusive New York screenings with Peter Travers and live stars will now be intimately shared and enjoyed by film lovers everywhere in the comfort of their own neighborhood theaters. Unavailable in the past, filmgoers now have immediate access to personally chat with artisans to honestly discuss their work. The creators of the smaller, better films will now mutually interact with a nationwide audience to help spread the word and ensure that these films of high caliber continue to be made and distributed.” The prestige movies in the Screening Series might be followed by a regular theatrical run, or be available thereafter on VOD, DVD and other home entertainment vehicles.
This is the first ever Live National In-Theater Screening Series which will entertain, educate, surprise, and refresh the spirit of true independent and foreign language filmmaking through provocative story-telling. The NYFCS® is dedicated to producing inspiring events in a collaborative environment and to nurturing the long-term success of movies. Featuring an energetic, creative, and experienced team, the NYFCS® exhibits socially and culturally relevant films with live world-class talent in the best independent theaters throughout the US.
The Screening Series will be produced and distributed by Ehrenkranz, who has 25+ years of experience with the NY Film Critics Series® as well as production/marketing/distribution at Pacific Arts, Pixie Productions, Really Cool Jobs®, Greyshack films, VideoLine® and Ingram Entertainment, Sponsorship is available.
Tickets and membership information for this film series are now available at UltraStar’s UltraLuxe Scottsdale Pavilions Box Office located at 9090 E. Indian Bend Road, Scottsdale, AZ 85250 or visit the website at http://www.UltraStarMovies.com.
About UltraStar Cinemas
UltraStar Cinemas is Southern California’s largest privately owned movie theater group. UltraStar Cinemas is headquartered in San Diego County and operates 74 screens at 7 sites throughout Southern California and Arizona. Recognized for pioneering the digital age of cinema, UltraStar was the first theater group in the world to be fully equipped with Pure Digital Cinema® powered by DLP Cinema® technology in all of its locations. In 2009, the company also became the first to offer D-BOX motion seats, which use motion effects specifically programmed for each film to create an immersive experience for movie goers. For more information, visit http://www.ultrastarmovies.com. For more information on UltraStar Multi-tainment Center at Ak-Chin Circle visit http://www.UltraStarAkChin.com.
About The New York Film Critics Series®
Peter Travers, Host. Peter is an American film critic, who has written for, in turn, People and Rolling Stone. Travers also hosts a celebrity interview show called Popcorn on ABC News Now and ABCNews.com. Travers joined Rolling Stone in 1989 after a four-year stint with People. He's best known for his basic writing style that eschews a more sophisticated analysis for an easy-to-read and often very opinionated form. According to efilmcritic.com, Travers is the nation's most blurbed film critic. Peter has hosted the NYFCS for over 10 years. In addition to Rolling Stone Magazine, ABC-TV, Peter appears regularly on Newsweek & The Daily Beast, The Soho Apple Store, and CNN.
Mark Ehrenkranz, Series Producer. Mark Ehrenkranz has been producing The NY Film Critics Series® for 18 years. He is also producing Turbulent Souls a full length feature film based on the memoirs of Stephen J. Dubner (co-author of Freakonomics ). National, key account marketing and sales executive for Ingram Entertainment. His credits include: Michael Nesmith's Prime Time NBC Series, Television Parts. USA's Nightflight, Radio 1990, Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, Entertainment Tonight, CBS's America, To Hear, a PBS Special Presentation hosted by Joel Grey. Assistant to Harvey Miller, Private Benjamin, Protocol, Bad Medicine. Fire and Ice, a Ralph Bakshi/Frank Frazetta Production & Twentieth Century Fox. Assistant to Jerry Belson ,Fun With Dick and Jane, Surrender, Always. Really Cool Jobs™ Save The Child, Return Of The Squeegee Men.
Michael Wynne Associate Producer and Exhibitor Relations. Michael Wynne has worked with the NY Film Critics Series® for 5 year in a variety of rolls, and currently serves as an Associate Producer for the series. He graduated from Boston University in 2008 where he majored in Film and Television. In the past, he has worked for Good Morning America and Dr. Phil as well as a Producer for Theory Films, Inc. In his current position, Michael helps oversee screening operations to guarantee the highest quality events for audiences. He works with all: theaters, distributors, key PR firms and talent on a constant basis for the series.
Enrico Paola Marketing and Sponsorships. Enrico Paola is a marketing consultant who has developed entertainment marketing partnerships for movie theatres, content partners and agencies. With an extensive background in filmed entertainment and theatrical marketing, Mr. Paola held senior roles at Loews Cineplex Entertainment and Cinema Scene Marketing before launching his own consultancy. His clients have included concession packaging and distribution companies, new technology start-ups, real-estate developers and most recently, the new state-of-the-art CityPlex12 theatre in Newark, NJ. Mr. Paola brings 20 years of experience in marketing and sponsorships and holds an MBA from the Fordham Graduate School of Business.
Independent Theaters. The NYFCS® network of U.S. theaters are independent partners that are dedicated to presenting the finest films available. These are exhibitors who take great pride in their shows and provide patrons with state-of-the-art, live HD experiences in the comfort of their convenient locations. Each location has been carefully chosen to ensure the best possible experience that is available in domestic, independent cinema today.
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For further PRESS ONLY information, contact:
Mark Ehrenkranz
615.504.0765
mehrenkranz(at)optonline(dot)net
Jason Jantzen, Phoenix Marketing Associates, 602-282-0202, [email protected]
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