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This week the "The Mouse House" (ABC/Disney) is all about the red and the blue.From news pertaining to studio heads, actors, producers, and writers, find out what sorts of waves Penn alumni are making this week!
Showing posts with label 1995. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1995. Show all posts
DT's B&P: 6 Reasons Why ABC Is Really Loving On Penn Alumni This Week
Friday, September 25, 2009This week the "The Mouse House" (ABC/Disney) is all about the red and the blue.From news pertaining to studio heads, actors, producers, and writers, find out what sorts of waves Penn alumni are making this week!
This Musician Wrote the Jingle for ABC's "Modern Family" (VIDEO)
Thursday, September 24, 2009
If you didn't fastforward through the credits, you would have seen that the show's composer is a Penn alum (and DT favorite!)
Find out who!
DT's B&P: They're ALL Hollywood Producers To Watch
Friday, September 11, 2009
Some exciting entertainment tidbits from our alumni film producers...
Mike Karz (C'89, W'89)'s Sorority Row (as reported HERE on DT ) debuts today.The film is about "A group of sorority sisters try to cover up the death of their house-sister after a prank gone wrong, only to be stalked by a serial killer."
Past posts about Mike's film projects here
More of my Penn "Film Producer" posts here
Adding to our "Alumni on Important Lists" series, husband and wife team, Elizabeth Banks (C'96) and Max Handelman (C'95, AEPi) are now 2 of Variety's "Top 10 Producers To Watch".More Here!
More of Liz's busy actress life HERE
Check back in weeks to come! I have a ton of developing stories from Penn alumni film producers!
He's Serving Up "Some Quality Rock and Roll Music" on the East Coast This Week!
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Okay, while this isn't necessarily a "Penn Foodie" related post, musician Gabriel Mann (C'95, Off the Beat), is holding a spoon in the video above and tells us he and his band The Rescues are serving up some quality rock and roll music. Good enough.
I briefly interrupt our Foodie series this week because I wanted to post this so all of you on the east coast are aware that Gabe and his band The Rescues are touring the east coast this week. And if you remember from my DT posts, Gabe's band's infectiously addicting music has been featured on "Grey's Anatomy" three times this past year!
If you're in Philly, note below that they're playing at the World Cafe Live this Thursday night (8/20)!
Aug 19 2009 7:00P Club Passim- Boston, MA
Aug 20 2009 8:00P World Cafe Live Downstairs- Philadelphia, PA
Aug 21 2009 8:00P Canal Room-New York, NY
Aug 22 2009 8:00P Rams Head Tavern- Annapolis, MD
Aug 26 2009 8:00P Eddie’s Attic- Decatur, GA
Aug 27 2009 7:00P Merry Band Farm- Silk Hope, NC
Aug 28 2009 8:00P Evening Muse- Charlotte, NC
Aug 29 2009 7:00P Pour House- Raleigh, NC
Aug 30 2009 7:00P IOTA Club and Cafe-Arlington, VA
Click HERE for ticket information
Listen to The Rescues' music that was featured on "Grey's Anatomy" this year below:
Get the songs on iTunes:
My past posts about Gabe HERE
Other Penn musicians HERE
Her Hollywood-Optioned Book Is Now in Paperback!
Monday, August 10, 2009
During this year, I've done posts about Allison Winn Scotch's (C'95) book The Time of My Life and how it was optioned by the Weinstein Brothers, was reviewed in People Magazine, made The Today Show's top 10 books for the fall, and made the New York Times Best Seller List! (#31).
Now news that last week, her book came out in paperback!
The Time of My Life (per Allison) is about an unhappy housewife who has been “whisked seven years back, back to her old life, her old self, back to the moments in which she made decisions that charted her future course. And now that she’s back, she’s faced with the same roadblocks and obstacles, only this time, armed with hindsight, she can choose a different path and finally lay to rest all of her "what ifs.”Read a full synopsis of The Time of My Life here...+/-
“From the outside view, Jillian Westfield has a pitch-perfect life. Her cherubic 18-month old daughter, her wildly successful investment banker husband, a four-bedroom, five-bath, lemon-scented home with landscaping and neighbors to match. But that doesn’t stop her from mulling over the past, from pushing away the "what ifs" that haunt her when she allows them to seep into her consciousness. What if she hadn’t married Henry? What if she hadn’t abandoned her job at the first sign of pregnancy? What if she’d never broken up with Jackson? What if she answered her mother’s letter? Because underneath the shiny veneer of her life, Jill waddles around in a faltering marriage, brewing resentment, and an air of discontentedness.
But after an ethereal massage in which her therapist releases her blocked chi, she wakes up to discover that she’s been whisked seven years back, back to her old life, her old self, back to the moments in which she made decisions that charted her future course. And now that she’s back, she’s faced with the same roadblocks and obstacles, only this time, armed with hindsight, she can choose a different path and finally lay to rest all of her "what ifs."
Much more than a story about a real life desperate housewife. Instead, it speaks to so many of our tiny, lingering doubts, the same doubts that send us googling old friends and exes or wistfully pulling out pictures of days gone by. And through Jillian’s journey, in which she rediscovers the mother who abandoned her, reacquaints herself with the strengths she once deemed important, and may literally rewrite her future, we all get a chance to peek inside the windows of our own "what ifs," and consider if the path we took was the one that has granted us the most happiness.”
Read Allison's insider's advice on how to become a published novelist
But after an ethereal massage in which her therapist releases her blocked chi, she wakes up to discover that she’s been whisked seven years back, back to her old life, her old self, back to the moments in which she made decisions that charted her future course. And now that she’s back, she’s faced with the same roadblocks and obstacles, only this time, armed with hindsight, she can choose a different path and finally lay to rest all of her "what ifs."
Much more than a story about a real life desperate housewife. Instead, it speaks to so many of our tiny, lingering doubts, the same doubts that send us googling old friends and exes or wistfully pulling out pictures of days gone by. And through Jillian’s journey, in which she rediscovers the mother who abandoned her, reacquaints herself with the strengths she once deemed important, and may literally rewrite her future, we all get a chance to peek inside the windows of our own "what ifs," and consider if the path we took was the one that has granted us the most happiness.”
Read Allison's insider's advice on how to become a published novelist
Get The Time of My Life (paperback)
Get Allison’s The Department of Lost and Found
Other Penn authors!
His Green Products Are In Over 5,000 Stores Nationwide!
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
For all of you with kids out there and are doing some back to school shopping, Brian's "The Scrap Kins" recycled paper stationery is already on shelves in your neighborhood. His pocket folders feature "Green Tips" on the back and his spiral themebooks give instructions for a recycled craft project kids can make using recyclables found at home.
Support Brian by choosing "Green" for your back to school supplies.
- Rite Aid (They're also carrying Brian's soft lunchboxes).
- Albertsons
- ShopKo
- Duckwall-Alco
And this just in! Scrap Kins Recycled Plush dolls (made from recycled polyester (fabric spun from plastic PET bottles (soda & sports drink bottles) are planned for release in Spring 2010. Congrats Brian!
Follow Brian on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/ScrapKins
This Oscar Nominated Filmmaker's Work Is So "Delicious", It's Really Not Safe For Work (VIDEO)
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Oscar Nominated Alum Colin Campbell (C'91, President of Intuitons, Without A Net, Penn in Pictures 2001 panelist) has created a great 4 minute video he directed for Instant Films, a 48 hour Los Angeles film festival. Colin drew the script and then the cast out of a hat on Saturday morning and by Sunday night he handed in the finished film.And Colin is no stranger to directing films by any means. In fact his short film "Seraglio" was nominated for an Oscar back in 2000. This was a great film that we showcased in our first Los Angeles Pennfest 2002 (photos HERE, program HERE) and am trying to see if we can get it posted on DT at some point soon.
"Delicious" is definitely on the not-safe-for-work side. ...So much in fact that the video and the image I'm using for this post associated with this film can only be seen when you expand the post by clicking HERE.
*Besides Colin, we actually have two other Penn alumni whose short film was nominated for an Oscar in 2006. Get the scoop HERE and watch their film!
More of posts from my "Penn's REEL deals" series
He's Obama's "Voice of Reason" in this Jib Jab Viral Video
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
If you recall, last year Gabriel Mann (C'95, Off the Beat) was the voice of Obama in Jib Jab's "Time for Some Campaigning." In this new Jib Jab video, Gabe is now the "voice of reason" at the beginning of the piece (the first 20 seconds of the clip).
If you're not familiar with DT favorite Gabriel Mann, click HERE to check out my past posts to learn about this accomplished musician and all the cool things he's done (i.e toured with Alanis Morrisette, been on the grammys, his music in many tv and films!)
Other great Website Wednesday posts
New to DT? 14 easy suggestions to get started!
His Colorful Documentary Has Been Nominated for An Award & Needs Your Vote!
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Earlier this year I posted about the talented documentary filmmaker Loren Mendell (C'95, Friars) and his film Adjust Your Color: The Truth of Petey Greene. The film has now been nominated for the Independent Lens Audience Award and he needs your vote!
Watch the trailer above and read more about his film from my previous post HERE
To vote, you don't need to sign in - just click the following link below:
http://www.pbs.org/independentlens/award2009runoff.html
Learn more about Loren's other documentaries!
Click to see what other 1995 Penn grads are up to
Popular Gameshow Win for Penn Alum! (VIDEO)
Thursday, June 11, 2009
This family physician won the first two nights (Game 1: $9400, Game 2: $8400) until he was defeated on the 3rd show.
Check out the edited clip above from Harris' first night's win and find out the "silly" question Harris asked Alex Trebek when he first tried out for the show as a teenager!
Connect with DT on
Hanging Out with Todd Lieberman at His Very Engaging Hollywood Premiere of The Proposal
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Before I get to the actual Hollywood "scene" of this premiere, I have to say that I really enjoyed this movie and it feels good to know that a guy I call one of my best friends is glowing at the response of having a hit movie on his hands. The casting was right on the money with Sandra Bullock, Ryan Reynolds, and Betty White (plus a great scene stealer from "The Office"'s Oscar Nunez). Not only were there many funny scenes due to the pleasantly awkward tension between Bullock's and Reynolds' characters, but there was some great heart to the film as well. Definitely a great date movie.
Here's a good summary summary of the movie (per Yahoo Movies):
"When high-powered book editor Margaret faces deportation to her native Canada, the quick-thinking exec declares that she's actually engaged to her unsuspecting put-upon assistant Andrew, who she's tormented for years. He agrees to participate in the charade, but with a few conditions of his own. The unlikely couple heads to Alaska to meet his quirky family and the always-in-control city girl finds herself in one comedic fish-out-of-water situation after another. With an impromptu wedding in the works and an immigration official on their tails, Margaret and Andrew reluctantly vow to stick to the plan despite the precarious consequences."Now onto the afterparty...
Some highlights included catching up with other Penn alumni including Todd's wife Heather (Zeegen) Lieberman (C'94, SDT), and actress Elizabeth Banks (C'96) and her husband and film producer Max Handelman (C'95, AEPi).
And then I saw a bunch of celebs, but decided to approach only two. And before I tell you what I said, I fully acknowledge the awkwardness in my attempt at conversation with some of these celebrities, yet in the following 2 cases, I felt the need to approach them:
- I said hello to Jesse James and complimented him on how well he performed in this past season's "Celebrity Apprentice". He was very nice and thanked me. While his wife Sandra Bullock was right beside him in another conversation, I decided to save my "you were great in the movie" comment and walk away with my dignity.
- I had to say hello to "Golden Girl" Betty White. She was extremely nice and approachable and I thanked her for all the years of laughter she brought to me (I know this sounds really cheesy, but it was sincere). She was very gracious and agreed to take a picture with me.
Connect with DT on
Wharton Entrepreneur Elon Musk's Appearance on Late Night TV + Exclusive Tesla Info Elon Revealed to DT! (VIDEOS)
Monday, May 4, 2009
This past Wednesday night (4/29/09), Penn alumnus Elon Musk (W'95, C’95) appeared on a popular late night TV program and discussed his electric sports car company Tesla Motors.
Find out:
- how much this car costs now(!)
- how the Tesla is environmentally friendly
- more about the electric car movement
- a preview of his sleek new, affordable Model S car which will come out in 2 years
I emailed Elon and he told me that the "point was that the real comparison price for the Model S is under $35k, so it's comparable to a high end Ford Taurus, when you consider that gasoline costs a lot more than electricity."
- his motivation behind his interest in cars
- what other transportation related projects Elon is interested in (inlcuding an electric plane!)
- more about the 2 companies he co-founded: SpaceX (space transportation company) and PayPal and how he broke into these businesses
- his dislike for firing people
- other CEOs in the Technology space from who he draws inspiration
- how this current political administration will be helping Tesla
- how he manages his time between running SpaceX and Tesla
On a related note, if you haven't already seen this movie, check out Who Killed the Electric Car...it's a fascinating documentary on the whole destruction of the electric car movement in the mid 1990s!
Musk was featured in the Nov/Dec issue of The Gazette HERE
Wikipedia info on Musk HERE
Other ways Penn and our alumni are going green HERE
Connect with DT on
Gabriel Mann's Music Featured Again in GREY'S ANATOMY! (tonight & next week!)
Thursday, April 23, 2009
- "Break Me Out" will be heard in episode 19 (season 5), which airs this Thursday April 23rd at 9pm (TONIGHT) and will be the 3rd appearance of Rescues music on the show already this season. (the song is featured in minute 39:54 at abc.com)
- Next week, on Thursday April 30th, the show will debut the Rescues’ song "Stay Over" from the upcoming album "Let Loose The Horses." (the song is featured in minute 19:45 at abc.com)
Get a preview of the music below:
Get the songs on iTunes:
My past posts about Gabe HERE
Other Penn musicians here
He'll Have You Turn Trash Into Treasure with the Scrap Kins
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Eco-advocate and illustrator, Brian Yanish (C'95, Mask and Wig, Friars) has combined his talents and passions to create The Scrap Kins, animated characters that live in a recycling center and build their world out of the things people throw away. Over the past 2 years DT has been following Brian as he has been developing out the Scrap Kins and we are happy to report that he has not only had successful meeting with some major publishers, but his his characters will be on children's notebooks and folders in Rite Aid stores across the country in over 4900 stores!
In the recent Los Angeles news segment from above, Brian shows us how he teaches kids to use their imagination and turn household scraps into crafts.Happy Earth Day everyone!
Visit Brian's website HERE
Follow Brian on his Twitter page HERE
More from my "Pinching PENNies" series
Find out HERE how Penn has been going green!
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