| EVENT REPORT 06.23.09 5:42 PM |
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At Universal's Public Enemies Chicago Screening, Producers Prepare for Rain—and Bowlers
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 | Universal Studios lined the red carpet with 1930s vehicles
Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images |
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FROM CHICAGO
Last summer, when Universal Studios filmed its soon-to-be-released Public Enemies in Chicago, camera-phone-armed locals crowded around barricades that closed off streets filled with 1930s vehicles, a slew of cameramen, and—if gawkers showed up at a fortuitous time—the stars of the gangster flick, Johnny Depp, Christian Bale, and Marion Cotillard. On Thursday night, a similar scene took place outside the AMC River East 21 theater, where the studio hosted what it called a "Chicago special screening premiere" of the movie.
Though the film's official premiere will take place in Los Angeles Tuesday night, Universal Studios hosted a prior screening in Chicago for some pretty straightforward reasons: "Public Enemies was filmed here," said Katie Hall, an event prodcuer at XA, the Experiential Agency, which facilitated planning efforts for the screening. "Also, Michael Mann is not only the film's director, he's also a co-producer. And Chicago is his hometown."
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Universal Studios, Johnny Depp, Marion Cotillard, Michael Mann, Christian Bale |
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| EVENT REPORT 10.06.08 6:28 PM |
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Universal Studios Opens Halloween Program With Horror Movie Awards
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 | Eyegore Award winners on stage
Photo: Joel Lugavere |
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The state of the economy isn't exactly putting the average American into a celebratory mood—but the upcoming Halloween holiday might be an appropriately scary distraction. To get guests into the spirit, Universal Studios hosted its annual Eyegore awards on Friday at the Globe Theater and kicked off the park’s annual Halloween Horror Nights event series.
“The awards are given by Universal Studios Hollywood to actors, writers, directors, and other artists who have made a significant contribution to the evolution of the horror genre,” said Sandra Lady, vice president of Universal Studios and Citywalk special events. This year’s recipients included Julie Benz of Saw V, Bill Moseley of The Devil’s Rejects, director Roger Corman, director of the original The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Tobe Hooper, and the original Leatherface, Gunnar Hansen.
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Universal Studios, Eyegore Awards, Halloween Horror Nights |
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| NEWS 06.02.08 10:39 AM |
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Fire Destroys Portions of Universal Studios Back Lot
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A massive fire broke out on the Universal Studios back lot early yesterday morning and burned for most of the day as firefighters battled it. According to The Los Angeles Times, studio streetscapes of New York and New England were destroyed, along with the King Kong exhibit, the Back to the Future set, a full sound stage, and several video vaults. The equivalent of two city blocks burned in the blaze. The theme park did not open to guests, despite early optimism that it could open late.
The fire had no effect on the Gibson Amphitheatre in Universal City, and the 17th annual MTV Movie Awards were broadcast live last night as planned. —Laura Kasavan
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MTV Movie Awards, Universal Studios |
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| NEWS 05.20.08 4:47 PM |
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Human Cannonball Launches Universal Studios' Simpsons Ride
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 | Universal Studios' human cannonball
Photo: Courtesy of Universal Studios Hollywood |
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It may be increasingly hard to get someone's attention in this zillion-channel universe, but there's nothing like a good old-fashioned human cannonball to get people to put down their forks.
With that in mind, Universal Studios Hollywood heralded the opening of the Simpsons Ride on May 17 with what organizers termed “an explosive welcome.” As a massive crowd of press people and invited guests awaited the critical moment, women in tall blue Marge wigs helped them keep up their strength by serving a brunch spread of “nuclear plant salad” (tomatoes and mozzarella) and “Bart's cowabunga sliders” (chicken-salad sliders). Stiltwalkers paraded around the plaza in front of the ride, while a five-man band played oompah music.
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The Simpsons, Universal Studios |
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