DONA GRANATA's (Costume Designer) career as a costume designer encompasses film, television, theater and opera. She earned an Emmy Award and a Costume Designers Guild Award for the 2001 ABC biographical drama "Judy Garland: Me and My Shadows," for director Robert Allan Ackerman, and additional Emmy nominations for Showtime's "The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone," also for Ackerman, and Robert Altman's musical documentary "Jazz '34."
Granata's designs for film include this year's "Ramen Girl," reuniting her with Ackerman; "Dr. T and the Women," "Cookie's Fortune," "The Gingerbread Man" and "Kansas City" for director Robert Altman; "Earthly Possessions" for James Lapine; "Gloria," "Critical Care," "Deathtrap" and "The Wiz" (as associate designer) for Sidney Lumet; as well as "Shadrach," "Love Is All There Is," "Scenes from the Class Struggle in Beverly Hills" and "Lust in the Dust." Television credits include "The Reagans," Showtime's "Fat Actress," David Steinberg's "It Had to be You," the American Playhouse production of "Mrs. Cage" and the CBS series "Sons and Daughters."
Granata's association with director James Lapine includes the theatrical productions of "Modern/Orthodox" and "Amour." Among her stage credits are Broadway's "Canciones de Mi Padre" for Linda Ronstadt and productions at the Mark Taper Forum, the Kennedy Center, the Goodman Theatre and the Old Globe Theater in San Diego. She has also designed costumes for opera, including Robert Altman's "A Wedding" at the Lyric Opera of Chicago, as well as productions for the Metropolitan Opera, Los Angeles Opera, Houston Grand Opera, Covent Garden, Welsh National Opera and Australian Opera.
Granata is currently at work on Tommy Tune's Broadway musical "The Turn of the Century." Among her upcoming projects is a new theatrical production of "The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone" in Tokyo, for director Robert Allan Ackerman.
JULIA MICHELS (Music Supervisor)
JULIA MICHELS (Music Supervisor) is an independent movie music supervisor who has enjoyed a successful 17-year career in the film music industry. She recently finished working on "Sex and the City," and her other recent theatrical credits include the acclaimed 2007 music-driven drama "August Rush" and the 2006 summer blockbuster "The Devil Wears Prada."
Michels is currently supervising the upcoming "Marley & Me," starring Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson, based on the New York Times best-selling book.
Prior to her independent status, she was Senior Vice President of Music for MGM Pictures, overseeing all the music for such films as "Be Cool," "Beauty Shop" and the remake of "The Pink Panther," among others.
Additionally, Michels held the post Vice President of Soundtracks at EMI Records, overseeing soundtracks for all the labels in the EMI family, including Capitol, Virgin, Priority and Blue Note Records. Previously, she spent four years as Vice President of Music for Twentieth Century Fox. In this role, which also encompassed the Fox 2000, Fox Searchlight and Fox Animation film divisions, she was the music executive on a diverse slate of projects, including "Daredevil," "Unfaithful," "Down with Love," "Like Mike" and "The Banger Sisters."
Before joining Fox, Michels was the Director of Soundtracks for Capitol Records and was instrumental in the creation of such soundtracks as "Hope Floats," "Good Will Hunting," "There's Something About Mary" and "Never Been Kissed." During her extensive career in the film/soundtrack business, she has also been a music editor, co¬owner of an independent record label and an agent for film composers.
Michels is currently supervising the upcoming "Marley & Me," starring Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson, based on the New York Times best-selling book.
Prior to her independent status, she was Senior Vice President of Music for MGM Pictures, overseeing all the music for such films as "Be Cool," "Beauty Shop" and the remake of "The Pink Panther," among others.
Additionally, Michels held the post Vice President of Soundtracks at EMI Records, overseeing soundtracks for all the labels in the EMI family, including Capitol, Virgin, Priority and Blue Note Records. Previously, she spent four years as Vice President of Music for Twentieth Century Fox. In this role, which also encompassed the Fox 2000, Fox Searchlight and Fox Animation film divisions, she was the music executive on a diverse slate of projects, including "Daredevil," "Unfaithful," "Down with Love," "Like Mike" and "The Banger Sisters."
Before joining Fox, Michels was the Director of Soundtracks for Capitol Records and was instrumental in the creation of such soundtracks as "Hope Floats," "Good Will Hunting," "There's Something About Mary" and "Never Been Kissed." During her extensive career in the film/soundtrack business, she has also been a music editor, co¬owner of an independent record label and an agent for film composers.
RACHEL PORTMAN (Composer)
RACHEL PORTMAN (Composer) holds the distinction of being the first female composer in history to win an Academy Award, for her score to the 1996 period romantic comedy "Emma," directed by Douglas McGrath. She also earned Academy Award nominations for her scores to Lasse Hallstrom's "The Ciderhouse Rules" and "Chocolat."
Portman has worked with numerous renowned filmmakers, among them Roman Polanski, Jonathan Demme, Robert Redford, Robert Benton, Garry Marshall, Alan Parker, Mike Leigh, Beeban Kidron and Wayne Wang.
She has received acclaim for her diverse scores to such films as "Infamous," "The Lake House," "Oliver Twist," "The Manchurian Candidate," "Because of Winn Dixie," "Benny & Joon," "The Joy Luck Club," "The Legend of Bagger Vance," "Hart's War," "Beloved," "Nicholas Nickleby," "The Human Stain" and "Mona Lisa Smile."
Portman's first opera, "The Little Prince," based on the classic children's book by Antoine de Saint-Exúpery, premiered at the Houston Grand Opera and is now available on DVD.
Portman has worked with numerous renowned filmmakers, among them Roman Polanski, Jonathan Demme, Robert Redford, Robert Benton, Garry Marshall, Alan Parker, Mike Leigh, Beeban Kidron and Wayne Wang.
She has received acclaim for her diverse scores to such films as "Infamous," "The Lake House," "Oliver Twist," "The Manchurian Candidate," "Because of Winn Dixie," "Benny & Joon," "The Joy Luck Club," "The Legend of Bagger Vance," "Hart's War," "Beloved," "Nicholas Nickleby," "The Human Stain" and "Mona Lisa Smile."
Portman's first opera, "The Little Prince," based on the classic children's book by Antoine de Saint-Exúpery, premiered at the Houston Grand Opera and is now available on DVD.
MELISSA KENT (Editor)
MELISSA KENT (Editor) was nominated for an American Cinema Editors Award for her work on the 2003 Showtime movie "The Reagans."
Most recently, she served as editor on the television drama "A Raisin in the Sun," the Showtime original drama "An American Crime" and the independent feature "Something New," for director Sanaa Hamri.
Among her film editing credits are "Crazy/Beautiful," for director John Stockwell, "The Virgin Suicides," for director Sofia Coppola, "Supernova," for director Walter Hill and "Reaching Normal," for director Anne Heche, a short film that screened at the Sundance Film Festival. She provided additional editing for "The Outsiders: The Complete Novel," the 2005 re-release and director's cut of Francis Ford Coppola's 1983 classic, and was a co-editor on Coppola's "The Rainmaker." She also served as additional editor on the features "The Fantasticks" and "My Family, Mi Familia."
Kent's work on network and cable television includes Showtime's "The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone," the TNT drama "Baby," "HBO's First Look: The Rainmaker" and various episodes of the hit series "Medium," as well as the pilot for "October Road."
Most recently, she served as editor on the television drama "A Raisin in the Sun," the Showtime original drama "An American Crime" and the independent feature "Something New," for director Sanaa Hamri.
Among her film editing credits are "Crazy/Beautiful," for director John Stockwell, "The Virgin Suicides," for director Sofia Coppola, "Supernova," for director Walter Hill and "Reaching Normal," for director Anne Heche, a short film that screened at the Sundance Film Festival. She provided additional editing for "The Outsiders: The Complete Novel," the 2005 re-release and director's cut of Francis Ford Coppola's 1983 classic, and was a co-editor on Coppola's "The Rainmaker." She also served as additional editor on the features "The Fantasticks" and "My Family, Mi Familia."
Kent's work on network and cable television includes Showtime's "The Roman Spring of Mrs. Stone," the TNT drama "Baby," "HBO's First Look: The Rainmaker" and various episodes of the hit series "Medium," as well as the pilot for "October Road."
GAE BUCKLEY (Production Designer)
GAE BUCKLEY (Production Designer) most recently served as production designer on "He's Just Not That Into You," "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" and the romantic comedy "License to Wed," for director Ken Kwapis; Kevin Costner's Western drama "Open Range," starring Robert Duvall, Costner and Annette Bening; and the action-filled "Death and Life of Bobby Z."
As an art director, Buckley's film credits include "What Women Want," "Coyote Ugly," "Tin Cup," "The Craft," "The Little Rascals," "Indecent Proposal" and "Three Wishes." Her set designer credits include "Wayne's World," "Coneheads" and "Good Night, and Good Luck."
Buckley began her career as an architect and segued into filmed entertainment with work on music videos and commercials in New York City. She received a degree in architecture from Cornell University, and has also studied drawing at The Brooklyn Academy of Art, and scenic painting at The Lester Polikoff School of Scenic Painting in New York City. She grew up painting with her mother, New Jersey artist Jean Buckley.
As an art director, Buckley's film credits include "What Women Want," "Coyote Ugly," "Tin Cup," "The Craft," "The Little Rascals," "Indecent Proposal" and "Three Wishes." Her set designer credits include "Wayne's World," "Coneheads" and "Good Night, and Good Luck."
Buckley began her career as an architect and segued into filmed entertainment with work on music videos and commercials in New York City. She received a degree in architecture from Cornell University, and has also studied drawing at The Brooklyn Academy of Art, and scenic painting at The Lester Polikoff School of Scenic Painting in New York City. She grew up painting with her mother, New Jersey artist Jean Buckley.
JIM DENAULT (Director of Photography)
JIM DENAULT (Director of Photography) most recently worked with director Jay Roach on the HBO drama "Recount," about the 2000 presidential election, which debuted in May. He also served as director of photography on the recent feature releases "Freedom Writers," for director Richard LaGravenese, and "The Passage."
His work will next be seen in the romantic comedy "She's Out of My League," currently in post-production.
Denault's credits encompass a diverse range of films, including the Merchant-Ivory production "Heights"; the HBO film "Maria Full of Grace," which won the Audience Award at Sundance in 2006; "City of Ghosts," for writer/director Matt Dillon; HBO's "Real Women Have Curves" and "The Believer," both honored with Sundance awards; "Our Song"; the groundbreaking drama "Boys Don't Cry"; "Clockwatchers," a 1997 nominee for Sundance's Grand Jury Prize; and "Illtown." His work on the thriller "Nadja" earned a 1996 Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Cinematography.
Denault went on to receive a 2005 Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Cinematography on a Single-Camera Series for his photography on the acclaimed HBO series "Carnivàle." His additional television credits include HBO's "Six Feet Under" and a number of network pilots, including "Push, Nevada" for ABC.
His work will next be seen in the romantic comedy "She's Out of My League," currently in post-production.
Denault's credits encompass a diverse range of films, including the Merchant-Ivory production "Heights"; the HBO film "Maria Full of Grace," which won the Audience Award at Sundance in 2006; "City of Ghosts," for writer/director Matt Dillon; HBO's "Real Women Have Curves" and "The Believer," both honored with Sundance awards; "Our Song"; the groundbreaking drama "Boys Don't Cry"; "Clockwatchers," a 1997 nominee for Sundance's Grand Jury Prize; and "Illtown." His work on the thriller "Nadja" earned a 1996 Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Cinematography.
Denault went on to receive a 2005 Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Cinematography on a Single-Camera Series for his photography on the acclaimed HBO series "Carnivàle." His additional television credits include HBO's "Six Feet Under" and a number of network pilots, including "Push, Nevada" for ABC.
BOB LEVY (Executive Producer)
BOB LEVY (Executive Producer) is Executive Vice President of Film and Television Development and Production at Alloy Entertainment. He has worked in the entertainment industry for more than two decades, spanning network, cable and public television. Levy joined Alloy Entertainment in 2001 following ten years at NBC, where he was the vice president of prime-time series and closely involved with such shows as "Mad About You," "Caroline in the City" and the critically acclaimed "Working."
As head of Alloy Entertainment's West Coast office, Levy oversees the company's extensive involvement in film and television development. He is an executive producer of all of Alloy Entertainment's television projects, including the CW series "Gossip Girl" and "Surviving the Filthy Rich," and producer of the company's feature films "Sex Drive" and "The Clique."
Levy holds a BA cum laude from Brown University. He is married to filmmaker Elizabeth Allen.
As head of Alloy Entertainment's West Coast office, Levy oversees the company's extensive involvement in film and television development. He is an executive producer of all of Alloy Entertainment's television projects, including the CW series "Gossip Girl" and "Surviving the Filthy Rich," and producer of the company's feature films "Sex Drive" and "The Clique."
Levy holds a BA cum laude from Brown University. He is married to filmmaker Elizabeth Allen.
LESLIE MORGENSTEIN (Executive Producer)
LESLIE MORGENSTEIN (Executive Producer) has served as President of Alloy Entertainment and its predecessor, 17th Street Productions, Inc., since 1999, overseeing the company's operations, strategy, and creative mission. He produces or executive produces Alloy Entertainment's television and feature film projects, including the current hit series "Gossip Girl" and the fall premieres of "Surviving the Filthy Rich" and "Samurai Girl," as well as the feature films "The Clique" and "Sex Drive." In 2005, he served as an executive producer on "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants."
In addition to film and television, Alloy is the most successful independent packager of fiction in the world. Approximately 50 of the company's titles have achieved New York Times best-seller status, including The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Gossip Girl, The Clique, The Luxe and Pretty Little Liars.
Morgenstein has an undergraduate degree in writing and photography from Sarah Lawrence College, a MBA in finance from New York University's Stern School of Business, and completed his master's work in English and creative writing at The City College of New York.
In addition to film and television, Alloy is the most successful independent packager of fiction in the world. Approximately 50 of the company's titles have achieved New York Times best-seller status, including The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, Gossip Girl, The Clique, The Luxe and Pretty Little Liars.
Morgenstein has an undergraduate degree in writing and photography from Sarah Lawrence College, a MBA in finance from New York University's Stern School of Business, and completed his master's work in English and creative writing at The City College of New York.
ALISON GREENSPAN (Executive Producer)
ALISON GREENSPAN (Executive Producer), as President of Di Novi Pictures, helped to develop the script for the 2005 film "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" and served as one of the film's executive producers.
Previously, Greenspan executive produced the features "New York Minute," "Catwoman" and "What a Girl Wants," as well as the telefilms "Eloise at the Plaza" and "Eloise at Christmastime" for ABC. She also helped develop the romantic drama "A Walk to Remember."
Greenspan began her career with a two-year stint at Creative Artists Agency and then spent three years as a creative executive at ImageMovers, Robert Zemeckis and Jack Rapke's production company. She joined Di Novi Pictures in 1999 as Vice President of Development.
Greenspan graduated Suma Cum Laude from the University of Pennsylvania in 1994. At U Penn, she enjoyed a four-year stint as performer, writer and director in the nation's only all-female collegiate comedy troupe, Bloomers.
Greenspan serves as executive producer on the romantic drama "Nights in Rodanthe," based on Nicholas Sparks' novel, which reunites Richard Gere and Diane Lane and is slated for a September 2008 release. Her additional upcoming projects include "The Jetsons," to be directed by Robert Rodriguez, and "Ramona," based on the best-selling series of books by Beverly Cleary, both of which are currently in pre-production.
Previously, Greenspan executive produced the features "New York Minute," "Catwoman" and "What a Girl Wants," as well as the telefilms "Eloise at the Plaza" and "Eloise at Christmastime" for ABC. She also helped develop the romantic drama "A Walk to Remember."
Greenspan began her career with a two-year stint at Creative Artists Agency and then spent three years as a creative executive at ImageMovers, Robert Zemeckis and Jack Rapke's production company. She joined Di Novi Pictures in 1999 as Vice President of Development.
Greenspan graduated Suma Cum Laude from the University of Pennsylvania in 1994. At U Penn, she enjoyed a four-year stint as performer, writer and director in the nation's only all-female collegiate comedy troupe, Bloomers.
Greenspan serves as executive producer on the romantic drama "Nights in Rodanthe," based on Nicholas Sparks' novel, which reunites Richard Gere and Diane Lane and is slated for a September 2008 release. Her additional upcoming projects include "The Jetsons," to be directed by Robert Rodriguez, and "Ramona," based on the best-selling series of books by Beverly Cleary, both of which are currently in pre-production.
CHRISTINE SACANI (Executive Producer)
CHRISTINE SACANI (Executive Producer) is a veteran producer of more than 40 film and television productions.
She most recently served as co-producer on the romantic comedy "License to Wed," starring Robin Williams, John Krasinski and Mandy Moore. Sacani held the same position as co-producer on "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" and "New York Minute."
With television production as the foundation of her producing career, Sacani counts among her accomplishments the Emmy Award-winning family dramas "Eloise at Christmastime" and "Eloise at the Plaza," starring Julie Andrews and Sofia Vassilieva; the musical drama "South Pacific," starring Glenn Close and Harry Connick Jr.; the crime drama "Thin Air," with Joe Montegna and Marcia Gay Harden; and the critically acclaimed productions "Trapped in a Purple Haze," starring Jonathan Jackson and JoBeth Williams, and "The Rosa Parks Story," starring Angela Bassett.
Born in New York, Sacani graduated from New York University with a BFA in film and television and moved to L.A. soon after to pursue her career as a producer.
She most recently served as co-producer on the romantic comedy "License to Wed," starring Robin Williams, John Krasinski and Mandy Moore. Sacani held the same position as co-producer on "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" and "New York Minute."
With television production as the foundation of her producing career, Sacani counts among her accomplishments the Emmy Award-winning family dramas "Eloise at Christmastime" and "Eloise at the Plaza," starring Julie Andrews and Sofia Vassilieva; the musical drama "South Pacific," starring Glenn Close and Harry Connick Jr.; the crime drama "Thin Air," with Joe Montegna and Marcia Gay Harden; and the critically acclaimed productions "Trapped in a Purple Haze," starring Jonathan Jackson and JoBeth Williams, and "The Rosa Parks Story," starring Angela Bassett.
Born in New York, Sacani graduated from New York University with a BFA in film and television and moved to L.A. soon after to pursue her career as a producer.
ANDREW KOSOVE (Executive Producer) and BRODERICK JOHNSON (Producer)
ANDREW KOSOVE (Executive Producer) and BRODERICK JOHNSON (Producer) are co-founders, co-presidents and co-CEOs of Alcon Entertainment.
Alcon has financed, and/or co-financed/produced 14 films, including "My Dog Skip," which led to an ongoing Warner Bros. Pictures distribution deal.
Among Alcon's titles are "Dude, Where's My Car?," starring Ashton Kutcher; "Insomnia," starring Al Pacino, Robin Williams, and Hilary Swank and directed by Christopher Nolan; "Chasing Liberty," starring Mandy Moore; "Love Don't Cost a Thing," starring Nick Cannon and Steve Harvey; the live action/animated "Racing Stripes"; "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," the ensemble hit romantic comedy starring Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrara, Blake Lively and Alexis Bledel; the action-thriller "16 Blocks," starring Bruce Willis; "Wicker Man," starring Nicholas Cage and directed by Neil LaBute; the romantic comedy "P.S. I Love You," starring Hilary Swank and directed by Richard LaGravenese; and the thriller "One Missed Call," starring Edward Burns.
Alcon has enjoyed a long-standing distribution relationship with Warner Bros. Pictures, which has just been renewed for another five years and 15-film slate. Timed to the renewed arrangement, Alcon has also privately raised a new $550 million production and P&A facility via limited investor/partners, including CIT Bank, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and Lehman Bros., among others.
Alcon has financed, and/or co-financed/produced 14 films, including "My Dog Skip," which led to an ongoing Warner Bros. Pictures distribution deal.
Among Alcon's titles are "Dude, Where's My Car?," starring Ashton Kutcher; "Insomnia," starring Al Pacino, Robin Williams, and Hilary Swank and directed by Christopher Nolan; "Chasing Liberty," starring Mandy Moore; "Love Don't Cost a Thing," starring Nick Cannon and Steve Harvey; the live action/animated "Racing Stripes"; "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," the ensemble hit romantic comedy starring Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrara, Blake Lively and Alexis Bledel; the action-thriller "16 Blocks," starring Bruce Willis; "Wicker Man," starring Nicholas Cage and directed by Neil LaBute; the romantic comedy "P.S. I Love You," starring Hilary Swank and directed by Richard LaGravenese; and the thriller "One Missed Call," starring Edward Burns.
Alcon has enjoyed a long-standing distribution relationship with Warner Bros. Pictures, which has just been renewed for another five years and 15-film slate. Timed to the renewed arrangement, Alcon has also privately raised a new $550 million production and P&A facility via limited investor/partners, including CIT Bank, JPMorgan Chase & Co., and Lehman Bros., among others.
KIRA DAVIS (Producer)
KIRA DAVIS (Producer) began her film career in 1994 on a small film called "Love Is All There Is," starring Angelina Jolie. It was on this production that she met the two co-presidents of Alcon Entertainment and began working with them as an assistant in 1997. After a decade with Alcon Entertainment, Davis left her post as Senior Vice President of Production and Marketing in 2006. During her tenure at Alcon, she oversaw the production and marketing of "Lost & Found," "My Dog Skip," "The Affair of the Necklace," "Insomnia," "Love Don't Cost a Thing," "Chasing Liberty," "Racing Stripes," "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" and "16 Blocks."
In 2007 Davis entered into a long-term first-look producing deal with Alcon Entertainment and formed 8:38 Productions. Her first produced film under this deal is "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2."
Davis is a native of Santa Fe, New Mexico. She studied theatre with an emphasis in directing and graduated magna cum laude from New Mexico State University. After graduating, she worked in a series of professional theatres, including La Jolla Playhouse and the Mark Taper Forum, before becoming Alcon's first official employee. In 2006, Davis was presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Arts and Sciences at New Mexico State University.
In 2007 Davis entered into a long-term first-look producing deal with Alcon Entertainment and formed 8:38 Productions. Her first produced film under this deal is "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2."
Davis is a native of Santa Fe, New Mexico. She studied theatre with an emphasis in directing and graduated magna cum laude from New Mexico State University. After graduating, she worked in a series of professional theatres, including La Jolla Playhouse and the Mark Taper Forum, before becoming Alcon's first official employee. In 2006, Davis was presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award from the College of Arts and Sciences at New Mexico State University.
DENISE DI NOVI (Producer)
DENISE DI NOVI (Producer) made her producing debut on the cult hit comedy "Heathers," for which she won an Independent Spirit Award for Best First Feature. She then began a long association with groundbreaking filmmaker Tim Burton, during which time she produced such diverse hits as "Edward Scissorhands," "Batman Returns," "The Nightmare Before Christmas," "Ed Wood" and "James and the Giant Peach." Her early credits also include the 1994 remake of "Little Women," as well as "Practical Magic" and "Message in a Bottle," both of which took first place at the box office in their opening weekends.
Her more recent film producing credits include "Original Sin," "A Walk to Remember," "What a Girl Wants," "New York Minute," "Catwoman," "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" and Curtis Hanson's "Lucky You," as well as the upcoming release "Nights in Rodanthe," a romantic drama based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks, starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane reunited under the direction of George C. Wolfe.
In addition to her film credits, Di Novi has also ventured into television production. She served as an executive producer on the longform projects "Eloise at Christmastime," "Eloise at the Plaza," and "The '70s," as well as the critically acclaimed series "The District."
Di Novi started out in journalism, rising from copy editor at the National Observer (a Dow Jones weekly) to staff writer for "Canada AM" in Toronto. Segueing to the film industry, she began her career as a unit publicist. In 1980, she became a principal in the Montreal-based production company Film Plan, acting in various production capacities on nine major studio releases, including "Scanners" and "Videodrome." In 1983, Film Plan relocated to Los Angeles and merged with Arnold Kopelson's Film Packages.
She then joined New World Pictures as Executive Vice President of Production, later shifting into an overall deal as an independent producer. From 1989 to 1992, she headed Tim Burton Productions, where she produced several of the director's most successful films. In 1993, she set up her own production company, Di Novi Pictures, at Columbia Pictures.
Di Novi currently has a production deal at Warner Bros. Pictures. She has a number of projects in various stages of development, including "The Illustrated Man," with director Zack Snyder, based on a collection of Ray Bradbury stories; the love story "Last Summer of You and Me," based on the book by Ann Brashares; "The Jetsons," written and directed by Robert Rodriguez; and "Larklight," based on a Philip Reeve novel.
Her more recent film producing credits include "Original Sin," "A Walk to Remember," "What a Girl Wants," "New York Minute," "Catwoman," "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" and Curtis Hanson's "Lucky You," as well as the upcoming release "Nights in Rodanthe," a romantic drama based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks, starring Richard Gere and Diane Lane reunited under the direction of George C. Wolfe.
In addition to her film credits, Di Novi has also ventured into television production. She served as an executive producer on the longform projects "Eloise at Christmastime," "Eloise at the Plaza," and "The '70s," as well as the critically acclaimed series "The District."
Di Novi started out in journalism, rising from copy editor at the National Observer (a Dow Jones weekly) to staff writer for "Canada AM" in Toronto. Segueing to the film industry, she began her career as a unit publicist. In 1980, she became a principal in the Montreal-based production company Film Plan, acting in various production capacities on nine major studio releases, including "Scanners" and "Videodrome." In 1983, Film Plan relocated to Los Angeles and merged with Arnold Kopelson's Film Packages.
She then joined New World Pictures as Executive Vice President of Production, later shifting into an overall deal as an independent producer. From 1989 to 1992, she headed Tim Burton Productions, where she produced several of the director's most successful films. In 1993, she set up her own production company, Di Novi Pictures, at Columbia Pictures.
Di Novi currently has a production deal at Warner Bros. Pictures. She has a number of projects in various stages of development, including "The Illustrated Man," with director Zack Snyder, based on a collection of Ray Bradbury stories; the love story "Last Summer of You and Me," based on the book by Ann Brashares; "The Jetsons," written and directed by Robert Rodriguez; and "Larklight," based on a Philip Reeve novel.
DEBRA MARTIN CHASE (Producer)
DEBRA MARTIN CHASE (Producer) is a two-time Emmy Award-nominated motion picture and television producer. Her company, Martin Chase Productions, has been an affiliate of the Walt Disney Company for over seven years, making Chase the first African-American female producer to have a solo producing deal at a major studio.
Chase was a producer on "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants." She also produced "The Princess Diaries" and its sequel, "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement," and was an executive producer on the Lifetime series "Missing," which at the time had the most watched debut in the network's history. She served as an executive producer on "Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella," starring Brandy, Whitney Houston and Whoopi Goldberg, which attracted over 60 million viewers, received seven Emmy nominations and won the Emmy Award for Art Production.
Chase is the executive producer of The Disney Channel's hit movie and music franchise "The Cheetah Girls," starring Raven-Symoné, Sabrina Bryan, Adrienne Bailon, Kiely Williams and Lynn Whitfield. The premiere of "The Cheetah Girls 2" was the network's highest rated debut and launched a platinum-plus soundtrack, following the double platinum soundtrack for the first movie. "The Cheetah Girls: One World," the third of the franchise, debuts in August 2008. Additionally, she is the co-creator and producer of the double platinum-plus-selling "Byou," a dance/fitness workout DVD for teens and 'tweens, starring Sabrina Bryan and distributed by SONY BMG, that combines pop and hip hop movements with strength and cardio training to make fitness fun.
Chase was Whitney Houston's BrownHouse Productions producing partner from 1995 to 2000. She ran Denzel Washington's Mundy Lane Entertainment from 1992 to 1995, overseeing the release of "Devil in a Blue Dress" and executive producing, with Washington, the documentary "Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream," which earned Oscar and Emmy nominations, won a Peabody Award and the Crystal Heart from the Heartland Film Festival and was voted Best Documentary by the National Association of Minorities in Cable.
Previously, she executive produced "Courage Under Fire," starring Washington and Meg Ryan for director Ed Zwick. She co-produced "The Preacher's Wife," starring Washington and Whitney Houston for director Penny Marshall, a project Chase originated and developed at Mundy Lane.
Prior to Mundy Lane, Chase held several positions at Columbia Pictures, joining the studio in 1989 as an attorney and rising to Director of Creative Affairs.
Chase began her career as an attorney and worked at several major law firms and Fortune 500 corporations in Houston and Manhattan. She received her J.D. from the Harvard Law School and graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude from Mount Holyoke College. She serves on the Board of Trustees of Columbia College of Chicago, the Board of Directors of the Center Dance Association of the Los Angeles Music Center, the Board of Directors of the San Francisco-based Museum of the African Diaspora, the Board of Directors of the United Friends of Children, the Producing Mentor Board of USC's Peter Stark Program and the Advisory Board of the Heartland Film Festival.
In 2002, she was honored by Girls Inc. for inspiring young women. She has also been honored by Women in Film, the Corporate Counsel Women of Color, the Heartland Film Festival, the New York Times/Blackfilm.com, the I Have a Dream Foundation, the National Summit of Black Women Lawyers, and the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music and Entertainment.
In 2003, Savoy Magazine named Chase one of the 100 most influential Blacks in America and Essence Magazine named her one of the 50 African-American women shaping the world. In 2007, Black Enterprise Magazine named her one of the Top 50 Powerbrokers in Hollywood; and in 2007 and 2008, Ebony named her one of the 150 Most Influential Blacks in America. In May 2007, Chase received an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from her alma mater, Mount Holyoke College.
Chase was a producer on "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants." She also produced "The Princess Diaries" and its sequel, "The Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement," and was an executive producer on the Lifetime series "Missing," which at the time had the most watched debut in the network's history. She served as an executive producer on "Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella," starring Brandy, Whitney Houston and Whoopi Goldberg, which attracted over 60 million viewers, received seven Emmy nominations and won the Emmy Award for Art Production.
Chase is the executive producer of The Disney Channel's hit movie and music franchise "The Cheetah Girls," starring Raven-Symoné, Sabrina Bryan, Adrienne Bailon, Kiely Williams and Lynn Whitfield. The premiere of "The Cheetah Girls 2" was the network's highest rated debut and launched a platinum-plus soundtrack, following the double platinum soundtrack for the first movie. "The Cheetah Girls: One World," the third of the franchise, debuts in August 2008. Additionally, she is the co-creator and producer of the double platinum-plus-selling "Byou," a dance/fitness workout DVD for teens and 'tweens, starring Sabrina Bryan and distributed by SONY BMG, that combines pop and hip hop movements with strength and cardio training to make fitness fun.
Chase was Whitney Houston's BrownHouse Productions producing partner from 1995 to 2000. She ran Denzel Washington's Mundy Lane Entertainment from 1992 to 1995, overseeing the release of "Devil in a Blue Dress" and executive producing, with Washington, the documentary "Hank Aaron: Chasing the Dream," which earned Oscar and Emmy nominations, won a Peabody Award and the Crystal Heart from the Heartland Film Festival and was voted Best Documentary by the National Association of Minorities in Cable.
Previously, she executive produced "Courage Under Fire," starring Washington and Meg Ryan for director Ed Zwick. She co-produced "The Preacher's Wife," starring Washington and Whitney Houston for director Penny Marshall, a project Chase originated and developed at Mundy Lane.
Prior to Mundy Lane, Chase held several positions at Columbia Pictures, joining the studio in 1989 as an attorney and rising to Director of Creative Affairs.
Chase began her career as an attorney and worked at several major law firms and Fortune 500 corporations in Houston and Manhattan. She received her J.D. from the Harvard Law School and graduated Phi Beta Kappa, Magna Cum Laude from Mount Holyoke College. She serves on the Board of Trustees of Columbia College of Chicago, the Board of Directors of the Center Dance Association of the Los Angeles Music Center, the Board of Directors of the San Francisco-based Museum of the African Diaspora, the Board of Directors of the United Friends of Children, the Producing Mentor Board of USC's Peter Stark Program and the Advisory Board of the Heartland Film Festival.
In 2002, she was honored by Girls Inc. for inspiring young women. She has also been honored by Women in Film, the Corporate Counsel Women of Color, the Heartland Film Festival, the New York Times/Blackfilm.com, the I Have a Dream Foundation, the National Summit of Black Women Lawyers, and the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music and Entertainment.
In 2003, Savoy Magazine named Chase one of the 100 most influential Blacks in America and Essence Magazine named her one of the 50 African-American women shaping the world. In 2007, Black Enterprise Magazine named her one of the Top 50 Powerbrokers in Hollywood; and in 2007 and 2008, Ebony named her one of the 150 Most Influential Blacks in America. In May 2007, Chase received an honorary Doctor of Arts degree from her alma mater, Mount Holyoke College.
ELIZABETH CHANDLER (Screenwriter)
ELIZABETH CHANDLER (Screenwriter) rejoins the "Sisterhood" team on this second film, having been a screenwriter on "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" in 2005.
Chandler's screenwriting credits include "What a Girl Wants," starring Amanda Bynes and Colin Firth; the romantic comedy "Someone Like You," starring Ashley Judd and Hugh Jackman; and Alfonso Cuarón's acclaimed fantasy drama "A Little Princess."
For the small screen, she wrote and co-produced "Eloise at Christmastime" and the HBO film "Afterburn."
Chandler's screenwriting credits include "What a Girl Wants," starring Amanda Bynes and Colin Firth; the romantic comedy "Someone Like You," starring Ashley Judd and Hugh Jackman; and Alfonso Cuarón's acclaimed fantasy drama "A Little Princess."
For the small screen, she wrote and co-produced "Eloise at Christmastime" and the HBO film "Afterburn."
SANAA HAMRI (Director)
SANAA HAMRI (Director) made her feature directorial debut with the romantic comedy "Something New" in 2006, which earned her an NAACP Image Award nomination. She has directed episodes of the hit series "Desperate Housewives" and "Men in Trees," as well as commercials.
In 1992, at age 17, Hamri emigrated from her native Morocco to study theater at Sarah Lawrence College. Shortly after receiving her degree, she trained under legendary music video cinematographer Malik Sayeed. Under Sayeed's tutelage, Hamri was given the video-editing job for the reggae/hip-hop fusion group Born Jamericans that ignited her subsequent career as an up-and-coming editor.
She made the transition into directing two years later, building a portfolio of artists including Sting, Lenny Kravitz, Dr. Dre, Mariah Carey, Brandy, D'Angelo, Missy Elliot, Christina Aguilera, DMX and Ja Rule. Her big break was a low-budget, hardcore Bronx rap video for LaFace recording artists 1 Life 2 Live for their song "Blind Love," which caught the attention of Mariah Carey. She subsequently directed Carey's "Thank God I Found You" remix as well as her video for "Don't Stop," featuring Mystikal, her video for "Cry Baby," featuring Snoop Dogg, and "Oh Holy Night," a Christmas video to benefit children in need. These projects were soon followed by videos for such artists as Destiny's Child, Common, Kelly Rowland, India.Arie and Jay Z.
Her most recent work includes Prince's "Black Sweat" and "Musicology," both of which earned her MTV VMA nominations, and "Call My Name" and "Million Dayz"; the Notorious B.I.G. duet video "Nasty Girls," featuring Diddy, Nelly, Usher, Pharrell and Jagged Edge; Mariah Carey's "Bringin' on the Heartbreak," featuring Dave Navarro and Randy Jackson; Sting's "Send Your Love"; and Mary J. Blige's "It's a Wrap."
Among her accolades, Hamri was honored with an NAACP Image Award in 2003 for India.Arie's "Little Things," which was also nominated for an MVPA Award for Best Direction of a Female Artist. She was again nominated for an NAACP Image Award in 2004 for "The Truth." Hamri earned an MTV VMA nomination for Mary J. Blige's "Come Close to Me," for which she also received an MVPA Award nomination for Hip-Hop Video of the Year. She received additional MVPA Award nominations for Hip-Hop Video of the Year for Heather Headley's "He Is."
In 1992, at age 17, Hamri emigrated from her native Morocco to study theater at Sarah Lawrence College. Shortly after receiving her degree, she trained under legendary music video cinematographer Malik Sayeed. Under Sayeed's tutelage, Hamri was given the video-editing job for the reggae/hip-hop fusion group Born Jamericans that ignited her subsequent career as an up-and-coming editor.
She made the transition into directing two years later, building a portfolio of artists including Sting, Lenny Kravitz, Dr. Dre, Mariah Carey, Brandy, D'Angelo, Missy Elliot, Christina Aguilera, DMX and Ja Rule. Her big break was a low-budget, hardcore Bronx rap video for LaFace recording artists 1 Life 2 Live for their song "Blind Love," which caught the attention of Mariah Carey. She subsequently directed Carey's "Thank God I Found You" remix as well as her video for "Don't Stop," featuring Mystikal, her video for "Cry Baby," featuring Snoop Dogg, and "Oh Holy Night," a Christmas video to benefit children in need. These projects were soon followed by videos for such artists as Destiny's Child, Common, Kelly Rowland, India.Arie and Jay Z.
Her most recent work includes Prince's "Black Sweat" and "Musicology," both of which earned her MTV VMA nominations, and "Call My Name" and "Million Dayz"; the Notorious B.I.G. duet video "Nasty Girls," featuring Diddy, Nelly, Usher, Pharrell and Jagged Edge; Mariah Carey's "Bringin' on the Heartbreak," featuring Dave Navarro and Randy Jackson; Sting's "Send Your Love"; and Mary J. Blige's "It's a Wrap."
Among her accolades, Hamri was honored with an NAACP Image Award in 2003 for India.Arie's "Little Things," which was also nominated for an MVPA Award for Best Direction of a Female Artist. She was again nominated for an NAACP Image Award in 2004 for "The Truth." Hamri earned an MTV VMA nomination for Mary J. Blige's "Come Close to Me," for which she also received an MVPA Award nomination for Hip-Hop Video of the Year. She received additional MVPA Award nominations for Hip-Hop Video of the Year for Heather Headley's "He Is."
JESSE WILLIAMS (Leo)
JESSE WILLIAMS (Leo) makes his big-screen debut in "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2."
Williams starred in award-winning playwright Edward Albee's off-Broadway production "The American Dream and The Sandbox" from March through April of this year at the Cherry Lane Theatre.
He will soon begin production on the feature "Brooklyn's Finest," for director Antoine Fuqua, starring opposite Ethan Hawke, Richard Gere and Don Cheadle.
On television, Williams will next be seen in a guest-starring role on ABC Family's "Greek." His previous television credits include an appearance on "Law & Order."
Williams starred in award-winning playwright Edward Albee's off-Broadway production "The American Dream and The Sandbox" from March through April of this year at the Cherry Lane Theatre.
He will soon begin production on the feature "Brooklyn's Finest," for director Antoine Fuqua, starring opposite Ethan Hawke, Richard Gere and Don Cheadle.
On television, Williams will next be seen in a guest-starring role on ABC Family's "Greek." His previous television credits include an appearance on "Law & Order."
TOM WISDOM (Ian)
TOM WISDOM (Ian) most recently appeared on screen as Astinos in the drama "300," starring Gerard Butler. He also starred as Adrian in the Sci Fi Channel's telefilm "Fire & Ice."
Wisdom trained at the Academy Drama School in London.
In the theatre, he appeared in the world premiere of Sharman MacDonald's "Borders of Paradise" at the Palace Theatre Watford and played Algernon in "The Importance of Being Earnest" at the Open Air Theatre Wimbledon. At the Arts Theatre, London he played the leading role of Stephen Carter in the much-acclaimed production of "What's Wrong With Angry?" and then starred as Bennett in the revival of "Another Country." Most recently he starred in the leading role of Stanhope in "Journey's End" in London's West End and on a UK tour.
Wisdom's television credits include roles in "The Good King," for the Family Channel; "Black Hearts in Battersea," for the BBC; "Wycliffe," for HTV; the leading role of Edward in "Children of the New Forest," for the BBC; "The Castle," for ABC; "Wavelength," for Richmond Films; and the series regular role of Tom Ferguson in "Coronation Street." He also played the lead role of Matthew in the TV film "Escape to Somerset," for ITV; Ivor Claire in "Sword of Honour," for Talkback/C4; Stephen Clarke in the ITV two-parter "Suspicion"; and series lead Marco in "Mile High," for Sky TV.
Wisdom's next big-screen project is the Richard Curtis comedy "The Boat That Rocked," currently in production and set for a 2009 release.
Wisdom trained at the Academy Drama School in London.
In the theatre, he appeared in the world premiere of Sharman MacDonald's "Borders of Paradise" at the Palace Theatre Watford and played Algernon in "The Importance of Being Earnest" at the Open Air Theatre Wimbledon. At the Arts Theatre, London he played the leading role of Stephen Carter in the much-acclaimed production of "What's Wrong With Angry?" and then starred as Bennett in the revival of "Another Country." Most recently he starred in the leading role of Stanhope in "Journey's End" in London's West End and on a UK tour.
Wisdom's television credits include roles in "The Good King," for the Family Channel; "Black Hearts in Battersea," for the BBC; "Wycliffe," for HTV; the leading role of Edward in "Children of the New Forest," for the BBC; "The Castle," for ABC; "Wavelength," for Richmond Films; and the series regular role of Tom Ferguson in "Coronation Street." He also played the lead role of Matthew in the TV film "Escape to Somerset," for ITV; Ivor Claire in "Sword of Honour," for Talkback/C4; Stephen Clarke in the ITV two-parter "Suspicion"; and series lead Marco in "Mile High," for Sky TV.
Wisdom's next big-screen project is the Richard Curtis comedy "The Boat That Rocked," currently in production and set for a 2009 release.
MICHAEL RADY (Kostos)
MICHAEL RADY (Kostos) made his feature film debut in "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," for which he earned a Teen Choice Award nomination for Best Male Breakout Performance.
Since then, Rady has appeared opposite Ashton Kutcher and Kevin Costner in the Andrew Davis action adventure "The Guardian" and on Showtime's "Sleeper Cell," as well as episodes of "CSI: NY" and "ER." He has a major recurring role in the CBS series "Swingtown."
He will soon be seen starring in the feature drama "In Search Of."
Rady is a graduate of Temple University.
Since then, Rady has appeared opposite Ashton Kutcher and Kevin Costner in the Andrew Davis action adventure "The Guardian" and on Showtime's "Sleeper Cell," as well as episodes of "CSI: NY" and "ER." He has a major recurring role in the CBS series "Swingtown."
He will soon be seen starring in the feature drama "In Search Of."
Rady is a graduate of Temple University.
LEONARDO NAM's (Brian McBrian)
LEONARDO NAM's (Brian McBrian) breakout role was in the 2004 Brian Robbins comedy "The Perfect Score," starring Scarlett Johansson and Erika Christensen.
In 2005, he went on to star in "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," directed by Ken Kwapis, and the festival hit "Little Athens," with Shawn Hatosy and Michael Peña.
Nam most recently appeared in the thriller "Vantage Point," directed by Pete Travis, starring Forest Whitaker and Matthew Fox. In August he will star alongside Harrison Ford, Sean Penn and Ashley Judd in the feature "Crossing Over" for writer/director Wayne Kramer, about immigrants struggling to achieve legal status in Los Angeles; and, early in 2009, is part of an ensemble cast including Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore and Ben Affleck in the romantic comedy "He's Just Not That Into You," based on the popular book, which reunites him with director Ken Kwapis.
Nam's upcoming projects include the comedy "The Two Bobs," for writer/director Tim McCanlies, in which he will star as the art director of a gaming company in pursuit of stolen software, set for a 2009 release.
Among his film credits are roles in "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift," for director Justin Lin in 2006; the comedy "10 Items or Less," directed by Brad Silberling, with Morgan Freeman and Paz Vega; the short film "Room 10," opposite Robin Wright Penn for director Jennifer Aniston; "American Pastime," directed by Desmond Nakano, about Japanese internment camps in the US during World War II; and "Finishing the Game," which reunited Nam with director Justin Lin.
Born in Argentina and raised in Sydney, Australia, Nam began his career studying in Sydney's prestigious Actor's Lab under Annie Swann while appearing in numerous local theatrical productions, including "Shakespeare in the Park." In New York, he trained with the legendary Uta Hagen, Austin Pendleton and Billy Carden and was a member of Sigourney Weaver and Jim Simpson's The Bat Theatre Company. His work in New York included the New York Public Theater/Shakespeare in the Park Shakespeare Lab Company.
His most recent stage appearance was the opening night performance of "365 Days/365 Plays," by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks, who committed to writing a play per day for 365 days. The National Festival's Los Angeles performance was produced by The Center Theatre Group and directed by Bart DeLorenzo. It was the largest collaboration in the history of American theater.
In 2005, he went on to star in "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," directed by Ken Kwapis, and the festival hit "Little Athens," with Shawn Hatosy and Michael Peña.
Nam most recently appeared in the thriller "Vantage Point," directed by Pete Travis, starring Forest Whitaker and Matthew Fox. In August he will star alongside Harrison Ford, Sean Penn and Ashley Judd in the feature "Crossing Over" for writer/director Wayne Kramer, about immigrants struggling to achieve legal status in Los Angeles; and, early in 2009, is part of an ensemble cast including Jennifer Aniston, Drew Barrymore and Ben Affleck in the romantic comedy "He's Just Not That Into You," based on the popular book, which reunites him with director Ken Kwapis.
Nam's upcoming projects include the comedy "The Two Bobs," for writer/director Tim McCanlies, in which he will star as the art director of a gaming company in pursuit of stolen software, set for a 2009 release.
Among his film credits are roles in "The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift," for director Justin Lin in 2006; the comedy "10 Items or Less," directed by Brad Silberling, with Morgan Freeman and Paz Vega; the short film "Room 10," opposite Robin Wright Penn for director Jennifer Aniston; "American Pastime," directed by Desmond Nakano, about Japanese internment camps in the US during World War II; and "Finishing the Game," which reunited Nam with director Justin Lin.
Born in Argentina and raised in Sydney, Australia, Nam began his career studying in Sydney's prestigious Actor's Lab under Annie Swann while appearing in numerous local theatrical productions, including "Shakespeare in the Park." In New York, he trained with the legendary Uta Hagen, Austin Pendleton and Billy Carden and was a member of Sigourney Weaver and Jim Simpson's The Bat Theatre Company. His work in New York included the New York Public Theater/Shakespeare in the Park Shakespeare Lab Company.
His most recent stage appearance was the opening night performance of "365 Days/365 Plays," by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks, who committed to writing a play per day for 365 days. The National Festival's Los Angeles performance was produced by The Center Theatre Group and directed by Bart DeLorenzo. It was the largest collaboration in the history of American theater.
BLYTHE DANNER (Greta)
BLYTHE DANNER (Greta) is a prolific, Emmy Award-winning actress who has appeared in numerous stage, television and film roles.
Danner first appeared on stage with the Theater Company of Boston and the Trintity Square Repertory Company (now Trinity Repertory Company) in Providence. She gained national attention at age 25 by winning the Theatre World Award for her performance in the Lincoln Center Rep's production of "The Miser," and went on to win a Tony Award in 1970 for her Broadway debut in "Butterflies Are Free."
Danner received three additional Tony nominations: in 1980 for the original Broadway production of Harold Pinter's "Betrayal"; in 1988 for a revival of the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama "A Streetcar Named Desire"; and in 2001 for a revival of Stephen Sondheim's "Follies." For more than 25 years, she has been a regular performer at the Williamstown Summer Theater Festival, where she also serves on the Board of Directors.
Her earliest starring film roles were opposite Alan Alda in "To Kill a Clown" and in the title role of "Lovin' Molly," directed by Sidney Lumet. She has appeared in two films based on novels by Pat Conroy, "The Great Santini" and "The Prince of Tides," as well as two television movies adapted from books by Anne Tyler, "Saint Maybe" and "Back When We Were Grownups." For director Woody Allen, she has appeared in "Another Woman," "Alice" and "Husbands and Wives."
More recently, Danner starred with Robert De Niro in the hit comedy "Meet the Parents" and its sequel, "Meet the Fockers," with Barbra Streisand and Dustin Hoffman; the romantic comedy "The Last Kiss," for director Tony Goldwyn; and the biographical drama "Sylvia," about poet Sylvia Plath, in which she shared the screen with daughter Gwyneth Paltrow. Danner also lent her vocal talents to the animated adventure "Howl's Moving Castle."
In 2005 she was nominated for three Emmy Awards, for her work on "Will & Grace," Showtime's acclaimed series, "Huff" and "Back When We Were Grownups," winning the Emmy for her role as Izzy in "Huff."
Among her upcoming projects is the FX Networks' original drama "Pretty/Handsome," with Joseph Fiennes and Carrie-Ann Moss.
Danner sits on several environmental advisory boards and holds honorary Doctorates of Arts from her alma mater Bard College, and Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
Danner first appeared on stage with the Theater Company of Boston and the Trintity Square Repertory Company (now Trinity Repertory Company) in Providence. She gained national attention at age 25 by winning the Theatre World Award for her performance in the Lincoln Center Rep's production of "The Miser," and went on to win a Tony Award in 1970 for her Broadway debut in "Butterflies Are Free."
Danner received three additional Tony nominations: in 1980 for the original Broadway production of Harold Pinter's "Betrayal"; in 1988 for a revival of the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama "A Streetcar Named Desire"; and in 2001 for a revival of Stephen Sondheim's "Follies." For more than 25 years, she has been a regular performer at the Williamstown Summer Theater Festival, where she also serves on the Board of Directors.
Her earliest starring film roles were opposite Alan Alda in "To Kill a Clown" and in the title role of "Lovin' Molly," directed by Sidney Lumet. She has appeared in two films based on novels by Pat Conroy, "The Great Santini" and "The Prince of Tides," as well as two television movies adapted from books by Anne Tyler, "Saint Maybe" and "Back When We Were Grownups." For director Woody Allen, she has appeared in "Another Woman," "Alice" and "Husbands and Wives."
More recently, Danner starred with Robert De Niro in the hit comedy "Meet the Parents" and its sequel, "Meet the Fockers," with Barbra Streisand and Dustin Hoffman; the romantic comedy "The Last Kiss," for director Tony Goldwyn; and the biographical drama "Sylvia," about poet Sylvia Plath, in which she shared the screen with daughter Gwyneth Paltrow. Danner also lent her vocal talents to the animated adventure "Howl's Moving Castle."
In 2005 she was nominated for three Emmy Awards, for her work on "Will & Grace," Showtime's acclaimed series, "Huff" and "Back When We Were Grownups," winning the Emmy for her role as Izzy in "Huff."
Among her upcoming projects is the FX Networks' original drama "Pretty/Handsome," with Joseph Fiennes and Carrie-Ann Moss.
Danner sits on several environmental advisory boards and holds honorary Doctorates of Arts from her alma mater Bard College, and Hobart and William Smith Colleges.
SHOHREH AGHDASHLOO (Professor Nasrin Mehani)
SHOHREH AGHDASHLOO (Professor Nasrin Mehani) earned an Academy Award nomination and won an Independent Spirit Award for her role, opposite Ben Kingsley, in the 2003 drama "House of Sand and Fog." Her poignant performance as the supportive and sympathetic wife of a proud Iranian immigrant in that film also brought her Best Supporting Actress honors from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, the New York Film Critics Circle and the Online Film Critics Society.
More recently, she starred in the box office hits "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" and "X-Men: The Last Stand," as well as the romantic drama "The Lake House" and "The Nativity Story."
On the small screen, Aghdashloo received acclaim for her role as Dina Araz in season four of the award-winning series "24." In 2006, she starred alongside Ray Liotta in the John Wells series "Smith." She has also guest starred on such series as "Grey's Anatomy," "ER" and "Will & Grace." She will next be seen in the BBC Worldwide dramatic miniseries "Between Two Rivers," and will soon begin filming the feature "The Rhythm of Chaos" for director Sarah Knight.
A noted film and theatre actress in her native Iran, Aghdashloo began her career on the stage with the Drama Workshop of Tehran at age 19. She debuted on screen a few years later in the 1977 feature "Gozaresh" ("The Report"), for renowned director Abbass Kiarostami, which won the Critics Award at the Moscow Film Festival. She followed this triumph with a role in "Shatranje Bad" ("Chess with the Wind"), also a film festival favorite. While her initial projects were banned in her home country, she scored a huge success with "Sooteh-Delan" ("Broken Hearts"), directed by the late Iranian filmmaker Ali Hatami, which established her as one of Iran's leading actresses.
Just as her career began to crest, the Shah of Iran's regime crumbled, forcing the Tehran-born actress to flee her home country during the 1978 revolution. Aghdashloo settled in England, where she completed her education in International Relations at the International University Europe in Waterford while putting her acting career on hold.
She resumed her career onstage in 1984 in a Farsi-language play that was also staged in several U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, and married playwright Houshang Touzie. Aghdashloo has since performed in several of Touzie's works while forming Drama Workshop '79, a theatre company created in memory of the revolution and dedicated to producing plays in her native language.
Aghdashloo has appeared in several independent films, including "Guests of Hotel Astoria," "Twenty Bucks," "Surviving Paradise," "Maryam," "America So Beautiful," "Possessed" and "Pulse" (the latter two from filmmaker Shirin Neshat's trilogy).
More recently, she starred in the box office hits "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" and "X-Men: The Last Stand," as well as the romantic drama "The Lake House" and "The Nativity Story."
On the small screen, Aghdashloo received acclaim for her role as Dina Araz in season four of the award-winning series "24." In 2006, she starred alongside Ray Liotta in the John Wells series "Smith." She has also guest starred on such series as "Grey's Anatomy," "ER" and "Will & Grace." She will next be seen in the BBC Worldwide dramatic miniseries "Between Two Rivers," and will soon begin filming the feature "The Rhythm of Chaos" for director Sarah Knight.
A noted film and theatre actress in her native Iran, Aghdashloo began her career on the stage with the Drama Workshop of Tehran at age 19. She debuted on screen a few years later in the 1977 feature "Gozaresh" ("The Report"), for renowned director Abbass Kiarostami, which won the Critics Award at the Moscow Film Festival. She followed this triumph with a role in "Shatranje Bad" ("Chess with the Wind"), also a film festival favorite. While her initial projects were banned in her home country, she scored a huge success with "Sooteh-Delan" ("Broken Hearts"), directed by the late Iranian filmmaker Ali Hatami, which established her as one of Iran's leading actresses.
Just as her career began to crest, the Shah of Iran's regime crumbled, forcing the Tehran-born actress to flee her home country during the 1978 revolution. Aghdashloo settled in England, where she completed her education in International Relations at the International University Europe in Waterford while putting her acting career on hold.
She resumed her career onstage in 1984 in a Farsi-language play that was also staged in several U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, and married playwright Houshang Touzie. Aghdashloo has since performed in several of Touzie's works while forming Drama Workshop '79, a theatre company created in memory of the revolution and dedicated to producing plays in her native language.
Aghdashloo has appeared in several independent films, including "Guests of Hotel Astoria," "Twenty Bucks," "Surviving Paradise," "Maryam," "America So Beautiful," "Possessed" and "Pulse" (the latter two from filmmaker Shirin Neshat's trilogy).
RACHEL TICOTIN (Carmen's Mom)
RACHEL TICOTIN (Carmen's Mom) began her career in New York City as one the founding members of the Ballet Hispanico of NY dance company. She then segued into acting with a starring role in "Fort Apache The Bronx."
Among Ticotin's more recent film work are roles in "Something's Gotta Give," "Man on Fire" and the upcoming drama "The Burning Plain," set for a 2009 release.
She also performs on stage, most recently in the acclaimed Chichester Festival Theater production of "Macbeth" on Broadway, starring alongside Patrick Stewart.
Among Ticotin's more recent film work are roles in "Something's Gotta Give," "Man on Fire" and the upcoming drama "The Burning Plain," set for a 2009 release.
She also performs on stage, most recently in the acclaimed Chichester Festival Theater production of "Macbeth" on Broadway, starring alongside Patrick Stewart.
RACHEL NICHOLS (Julia)
RACHEL NICHOLS (Julia) most recently wrapped production on the highly anticipated feature "Star Trek," directed by J.J. Abrams, and the action adventure "G.I. Joe," alongside Channing Tatum and Sienna Miller. Both are scheduled for release in 2009.
In 2007 Nichols starred as the lead in the thriller "P2," also starring Wes Bentley, for director Franck Khalfoun and producer Alexandre Aja. She also appeared in the sports drama "Resurrecting the Champ," with Samuel L. Jackson and Josh Hartnett, and in "Charlie Wilson's War," with Tom Hanks, directed by Mike Nichols.
In 2005 and 2006 Nichols starred as Rachel Gibson in the final season of the ABC hit drama "Alias." In 2005, she starred in the Fox drama "The Inside" and, that same year, starred in the remake of the classic thriller "The Amityville Horror," produced by Michael Bay, in which she portrayed the unforgettable role of the family babysitter. This film also starred Ryan Reynolds and Melissa George.
A small-town New England native, Nichols first caught the attention of a modeling scout while attending Columbia University, from which she graduated with a double major in math and economics. After campaigns with such brands as Guess, L'Oreal, Abercrombie & Fitch and Nicole Miller, she broke into the world of acting when her agent sent her out on her first-ever audition-for a "Sex and the City" episode called "The Vogue Idea," in which she guest-starred as the restaurant hostess who becomes a birthday present from Samantha to her boyfriend, Richard. She followed that with a role in "Autumn in New York," with Richard Gere. In 2003, she starred in "Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd," the prequel to "Dumb and Dumber." Nichols has also guest-starred on the ABC series "In the Line of Fire."
In 2007 Nichols starred as the lead in the thriller "P2," also starring Wes Bentley, for director Franck Khalfoun and producer Alexandre Aja. She also appeared in the sports drama "Resurrecting the Champ," with Samuel L. Jackson and Josh Hartnett, and in "Charlie Wilson's War," with Tom Hanks, directed by Mike Nichols.
In 2005 and 2006 Nichols starred as Rachel Gibson in the final season of the ABC hit drama "Alias." In 2005, she starred in the Fox drama "The Inside" and, that same year, starred in the remake of the classic thriller "The Amityville Horror," produced by Michael Bay, in which she portrayed the unforgettable role of the family babysitter. This film also starred Ryan Reynolds and Melissa George.
A small-town New England native, Nichols first caught the attention of a modeling scout while attending Columbia University, from which she graduated with a double major in math and economics. After campaigns with such brands as Guess, L'Oreal, Abercrombie & Fitch and Nicole Miller, she broke into the world of acting when her agent sent her out on her first-ever audition-for a "Sex and the City" episode called "The Vogue Idea," in which she guest-starred as the restaurant hostess who becomes a birthday present from Samantha to her boyfriend, Richard. She followed that with a role in "Autumn in New York," with Richard Gere. In 2003, she starred in "Dumb and Dumberer: When Harry Met Lloyd," the prequel to "Dumb and Dumber." Nichols has also guest-starred on the ABC series "In the Line of Fire."
AMERICA FERRERA (Carmen)
AMERICA FERRERA (Carmen) received critical acclaim and widespread recognition with her starring role in the Patricia Cardoso film "Real Women Have Curves." Her performance earned a Sundance Jury Award for Best Actress, an Independent Spirit Award nomination for Best Debut Performance and a Young Artist Award nomination for Best Performance for a Leading Young Actress.
She went on to star in the 2005 hit film "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," for which she was nominated for an ALMA Award. She also appeared in Catherine Hardwicke's "Lords of Dogtown" and the 2005 Sundance Film Festival entry "How the Garcia Girls Spent Their Summer," written and directed by Georgina Riedel and co¬starring Elizabeth Peña. In recognition of her work, she received a 2005 Movieline Breakthrough Award.
Currently, Ferrera stars as the title character in ABC's hit series "Ugly Betty," based on the enormously successful Colombian series "Yo Soy Betty, La Fea" and executive produced by Salma Hayek. Her portrayal of Betty has earned Ferrera numerous honors, including an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award and an additional Golden Globe nomination, a Screen Actors Guild Award and an ALMA Award. She is a current Emmy nominee for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.
Among Ferrera's credits are a starring role in the feature drama "Steel City," which premiered in dramatic competition at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival. On stage, she starred off-Broadway in "Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead," directed by Trip Cullman.
In 2007, she starred in a Spanish-speaking role as a woman who has a complicated relationship with a young kidnapping victim in the bilingual independent film "Towards Darkness," which she also executive produced. Directed by Antonio Negret, the film is based on his short film "Darkness Minus 12," in which Ferrera also starred. Later that year she starred in the independent film "La Misma Luna" ("Under the Same Moon"), which screened at the Austin Film Festival, Toronto Film Festival and the Internacional de Cine Expresion en Corto Festival in Mexico, and went on to gross more than $20 million worldwide box office. Directed by Patricia Riggen, it chronicles a 9 year-old Mexican boy's journey to the United States to find his migrant mother after the grandmother who is taking care of him passes away. The film also stars Mexican actors Kate DelCastillo and Eugenio Derbez.
Among Ferrera's upcoming projects are the animated features "How to Train Your Dragon," for which she lends her vocal talent along with Gerard Butler, and "Tinker Bell," due on October 28th, in which she joins a voice cast which includes Lucy Liu, Kristin Chenoweth and Jesse McCartney.
She went on to star in the 2005 hit film "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," for which she was nominated for an ALMA Award. She also appeared in Catherine Hardwicke's "Lords of Dogtown" and the 2005 Sundance Film Festival entry "How the Garcia Girls Spent Their Summer," written and directed by Georgina Riedel and co¬starring Elizabeth Peña. In recognition of her work, she received a 2005 Movieline Breakthrough Award.
Currently, Ferrera stars as the title character in ABC's hit series "Ugly Betty," based on the enormously successful Colombian series "Yo Soy Betty, La Fea" and executive produced by Salma Hayek. Her portrayal of Betty has earned Ferrera numerous honors, including an Emmy Award, a Golden Globe Award and an additional Golden Globe nomination, a Screen Actors Guild Award and an ALMA Award. She is a current Emmy nominee for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series.
Among Ferrera's credits are a starring role in the feature drama "Steel City," which premiered in dramatic competition at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival. On stage, she starred off-Broadway in "Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead," directed by Trip Cullman.
In 2007, she starred in a Spanish-speaking role as a woman who has a complicated relationship with a young kidnapping victim in the bilingual independent film "Towards Darkness," which she also executive produced. Directed by Antonio Negret, the film is based on his short film "Darkness Minus 12," in which Ferrera also starred. Later that year she starred in the independent film "La Misma Luna" ("Under the Same Moon"), which screened at the Austin Film Festival, Toronto Film Festival and the Internacional de Cine Expresion en Corto Festival in Mexico, and went on to gross more than $20 million worldwide box office. Directed by Patricia Riggen, it chronicles a 9 year-old Mexican boy's journey to the United States to find his migrant mother after the grandmother who is taking care of him passes away. The film also stars Mexican actors Kate DelCastillo and Eugenio Derbez.
Among Ferrera's upcoming projects are the animated features "How to Train Your Dragon," for which she lends her vocal talent along with Gerard Butler, and "Tinker Bell," due on October 28th, in which she joins a voice cast which includes Lucy Liu, Kristin Chenoweth and Jesse McCartney.
ALEXIS BLEDEL (Lena)
ALEXIS BLEDEL (Lena) made her television debut in the critically acclaimed series "Gilmore Girls." For seven successful seasons, she starred as Rory Gilmore, the teenage daughter in this dramedy about a close-knit relationship between a single mother and a savvy daughter. Her portrayal earned Bledel the 2005 and 2006 Teen Choice Award for Actress in a Comedy and the 2002 Family Friendly Forum Award for Best Actress in a Drama. Named by the Television Critics Association as 2001's Outstanding New Program, "Gilmore Girls" also starred Lauren Graham, Kelly Bishop, and Ed Herrmann.
She will next be seen starring in the feature comedy "The Post-Grad Survival Guide," set for a 2009 release.
Bledel made her feature film debut in 2002 in "Tuck Everlasting," based on the acclaimed novel by Natalie Babbitt, in which she starred as Winnie Foster, a free-spirited teen trapped in a repressed Victorian household who meets up with the mysterious Tuck Family. "Tuck Everlasting" also starred Ben Kingsley, William Hurt, Sissy Spacek and Jonathan Jackson. Bledel was also part of the ensemble cast of the Robert Rodriguez action thriller "Sin City," with Bruce Willis, Josh Hartnett, Rosario Dawson and Brittany Murphy.
Her additional film credits include "Bride and Prejudice," an Indian musical version of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, for "Bend it Like Beckham" director Gurinder Chadha; and the independent films "Orphan King," with Bill Pullman and Andrew McCarthy, and "I'm Reed Fish," opposite Jay Baruchel.
Bledel began her acting career in community theater in her hometown of Houston, Texas. She also modeled in New York during her school breaks. Before winning the role of Rory Gilmore, she attended NYU Film School to study writing and directing.
She will next be seen starring in the feature comedy "The Post-Grad Survival Guide," set for a 2009 release.
Bledel made her feature film debut in 2002 in "Tuck Everlasting," based on the acclaimed novel by Natalie Babbitt, in which she starred as Winnie Foster, a free-spirited teen trapped in a repressed Victorian household who meets up with the mysterious Tuck Family. "Tuck Everlasting" also starred Ben Kingsley, William Hurt, Sissy Spacek and Jonathan Jackson. Bledel was also part of the ensemble cast of the Robert Rodriguez action thriller "Sin City," with Bruce Willis, Josh Hartnett, Rosario Dawson and Brittany Murphy.
Her additional film credits include "Bride and Prejudice," an Indian musical version of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, for "Bend it Like Beckham" director Gurinder Chadha; and the independent films "Orphan King," with Bill Pullman and Andrew McCarthy, and "I'm Reed Fish," opposite Jay Baruchel.
Bledel began her acting career in community theater in her hometown of Houston, Texas. She also modeled in New York during her school breaks. Before winning the role of Rory Gilmore, she attended NYU Film School to study writing and directing.
BLAKE LIVELY (Bridget)
BLAKE LIVELY (Bridget) currently stars in one of the lead roles on the hit CW series "Gossip Girl," a comedy drama about teens at an elite private school in New York City.
In 2007, Lively starred in the independent feature "Elvis & Annabelle," directed by Will Geiger and co-starring Max Minghella and Mary Steenburgen. Previously, she starred opposite Justin Long in Steve Pink's comedy "Accepted" and in the 2005 hit "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," which earned her a Teen Choice Award nomination for Best Breakthrough Performance.
Among Lively's upcoming projects is the romantic drama "New York, I Love You," set for a 2009 release, and the drama "The Private Lives of Pippa Lee," currently in production, in which she stars with Keanu Reeves, Robin Wright Penn, Julianne Moore and Alan Arkin for writer/director Rebecca Miller.
In 2007, Lively starred in the independent feature "Elvis & Annabelle," directed by Will Geiger and co-starring Max Minghella and Mary Steenburgen. Previously, she starred opposite Justin Long in Steve Pink's comedy "Accepted" and in the 2005 hit "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants," which earned her a Teen Choice Award nomination for Best Breakthrough Performance.
Among Lively's upcoming projects is the romantic drama "New York, I Love You," set for a 2009 release, and the drama "The Private Lives of Pippa Lee," currently in production, in which she stars with Keanu Reeves, Robin Wright Penn, Julianne Moore and Alan Arkin for writer/director Rebecca Miller.
AMBER TAMBLYN (Tibby)
AMBER TAMBLYN (Tibby) just signed to star as the female lead in ABC's new dramedy series "The Unusuals," written by Noah Hawley ("Bones") that will feature her as a smart detective who is also the black sheep of a wealthy family. She recently wrapped production on a remake of the 1956 noir classic "Beyond a Reasonable Doubt," scripted and directed by Peter Hyams, in which she stars opposite Michael Douglas.
She recently starred in the title role, opposite Tilda Swinton, in "Stephanie Daley," for which she received tremendous critical acclaim and a 2007 Independent Spirit Best Supporting Female Actress nomination. The film, written and directed by Hilary Brougher, premiered at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival to rave reviews and went on to the 2007 Milan International Film Festival and the 2006 Locarno International Film Festival, where Tamblyn received a Golden Bronze Leopard Best Actress Award. Tamblyn also received raves for her role in the telepic "The Russell Girl."
Tamblyn will next star in the comedy "Spring Breakdown," with Parker Posey, Amy Poehler and Rachel Dratch; and the independent thriller "Blackout," directed by Rigoberto Castañeda.
She started her professional career at the age of 11 on "General Hospital," for which she received the Hollywood Reporter Young Star Award for Best Actress in a Daytime Series two years in a row. She is best known for two seasons as the title character in "Joan of Arcadia," the highly lauded CBS family drama that earned her a 2003 Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress in a Drama Series and a 2004 Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Her additional film credits include Gore Verbinski's "The Ring," Takashi Shimizu's "The Grudge 2" and Wim Wenders' "10 Minutes Older."
Also an acclaimed writer, Tamblyn published her first poem at age 12 in the San Francisco Chronicle, an Editor's Choice for their "Young Female Poets To Watch" issue. At 14 and 17, she self-published two collections of poetry, art and photography, entitled Plenty of Ships and Of the Dawn. In 2006, she signed with Simon & Schuster to release her debut full-length book of poetry, Free Stallion, which won the 2006 Borders Book Choice Award for Breakout Writing. Her work has also been published in New York
Quarterly Magazine, New York Magazine, L.A. Weekly, Writers and Poets, Cosmopolitan, Teen Vogue, Jane, Interview Magazine and, currently, Nylon Magazine.
She hosts a private writers' forum at rebelasylum.com, for more than 200,000 teens and young adults looking to publish or workshop their writing with other writers and Tamblyn herself. She is also co-founder of The Best Contemporary American Poets Series, a bi-annual event showcasing some of the country's best performance artists. She will be publishing her second anthology of poetry and non-fiction stories in fall 2008.
She recently starred in the title role, opposite Tilda Swinton, in "Stephanie Daley," for which she received tremendous critical acclaim and a 2007 Independent Spirit Best Supporting Female Actress nomination. The film, written and directed by Hilary Brougher, premiered at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival to rave reviews and went on to the 2007 Milan International Film Festival and the 2006 Locarno International Film Festival, where Tamblyn received a Golden Bronze Leopard Best Actress Award. Tamblyn also received raves for her role in the telepic "The Russell Girl."
Tamblyn will next star in the comedy "Spring Breakdown," with Parker Posey, Amy Poehler and Rachel Dratch; and the independent thriller "Blackout," directed by Rigoberto Castañeda.
She started her professional career at the age of 11 on "General Hospital," for which she received the Hollywood Reporter Young Star Award for Best Actress in a Daytime Series two years in a row. She is best known for two seasons as the title character in "Joan of Arcadia," the highly lauded CBS family drama that earned her a 2003 Golden Globe Award nomination for Best Actress in a Drama Series and a 2004 Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Her additional film credits include Gore Verbinski's "The Ring," Takashi Shimizu's "The Grudge 2" and Wim Wenders' "10 Minutes Older."
Also an acclaimed writer, Tamblyn published her first poem at age 12 in the San Francisco Chronicle, an Editor's Choice for their "Young Female Poets To Watch" issue. At 14 and 17, she self-published two collections of poetry, art and photography, entitled Plenty of Ships and Of the Dawn. In 2006, she signed with Simon & Schuster to release her debut full-length book of poetry, Free Stallion, which won the 2006 Borders Book Choice Award for Breakout Writing. Her work has also been published in New York
Quarterly Magazine, New York Magazine, L.A. Weekly, Writers and Poets, Cosmopolitan, Teen Vogue, Jane, Interview Magazine and, currently, Nylon Magazine.
She hosts a private writers' forum at rebelasylum.com, for more than 200,000 teens and young adults looking to publish or workshop their writing with other writers and Tamblyn herself. She is also co-founder of The Best Contemporary American Poets Series, a bi-annual event showcasing some of the country's best performance artists. She will be publishing her second anthology of poetry and non-fiction stories in fall 2008.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 A Broad Canvas
A Broad Canvas
"The movie covers a lot of ground," says Di Novi, referring not only to emotional growth but, quite literally, to miles. Concurrent storylines scatter the four friends to Alabama, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Maryland and Turkey before delivering them, all together, to the spectacularly beautiful Greek island of Santorini. "It's a broad canvas; rich and exciting in many ways."
In the first film, the pants began their summer journey in Santorini, the most distant of the locales visited. Likewise, production on "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" began in the Greek Islands, revisiting some of those original sets and vistas, such as the home of Lena's grandparents and the place where, three years ago, she met Kostos.
Production designer Gae Buckley, who also made the return trip for the "Sisterhood" sequel, says "The family's cliff-side home and café were the same sites used in the first film. We reproduced the exterior construction and dressing and then created a brand new bedroom in a nearby location for the girls to sleep in."
Picturesque Amoudi Bay, in Oia, is the place where passenger boats disembark and where the four young women hire burros to navigate the steep trail up to the house. The production team artfully rearranged existing boats in the harbor, replaced modern signage with more subdued graphics, and dressed the entire area in lush greens with an overall focus, says Buckley, "on making it appear less touristy and more like a traditional small fishing village."
From there, they selected another Greek locale with contrasting topography to stand in for the archeological dig Bridget attends in Turkey. The excavation set was built from scratch in four weeks, modeled on existing dig sites from the Hellenic period in both Greece and Turkey, and proved convincing enough to warrant approval from local archeologists.
Production then moved to the U.S., where various spots in Connecticut served as a range of East Coast cities. Carmen's Vermont theater world was created from portions of Connecticut, including the KenMont Camp for Boys, the University Theater at Yale in New Haven and the Westport Country Theatre. Bridget's Bethesda home was shot in Bridgeport and her grandmother's suburban Alabama property in Stamford. Exteriors of Lena at the Rhode Island School of Design campus were captured at Western Connecticut State University. Tibby's world was filmed in New York City, from the Weinstein Building at NYU and Washington Square Park to familiar East Village restaurants Two Boots and Yaffa's Café.
By far, the scenes the four stars shared in Santorini were their favorites. And among these, a highlight was the burro ride-not only for the breathtaking perspective of the Santorini harbor it offers and the playful humor it catches on screen, but for the fact that it reunited them in a place that stirred such wonderful memories of their first "Sisterhood" experience.
Says Bledel, "It's very natural when the four of us get together. It's a jumble of noise and nonsense so we don't really have to work very hard on getting that element across in the story's lighter scenes where we're all laughing and having a great time."
Adds Lively, "It's chaos. We get along way too well and sometimes things just happen."
Illustrating this point perfectly is another cast favorite, the cliff-diving scene in Santorini, a purely spontaneous moment away from the cameras that was then incorporated into the story at their suggestion-and with Hamri's enthusiastic support. While enjoying some downtime on a stroll around the village one day prior to filming, the actresses spotted three boys taking turns leaping into the ocean from a rocky perch. The boys were fans. After talking awhile about the movie, they invited their guests to give the dizzying high-dive a try.
Recalls Ferrera, "I was the first to say 'no way! I'm not jumping!' But they talked us into it and it really was exhilarating."
"We did it five times in a row," says Tamblyn, who cannot resist teasing Ferrera by adding, "When we were recreating it for the film, America and I were supposed to jump together but she was being a wuss and didn't go," she laughs. "I didn't realize it until I was underwater and looking around for her. She scared me half to death. I was afraid she hit a rock."
"To me," Hamri concludes, "Carmen, Tibby, Bridget and Lena leaping from that cliff is about them feeling free-with life, and with each other. It's very symbolic. They've all faced their various difficulties and we know there will be more to come because that's life. But for that moment they can just have fun and be girls again, laugh and scream and let it all go. They take the plunge one at a time and in their own way. But, at the same time, they are all together."
"The movie covers a lot of ground," says Di Novi, referring not only to emotional growth but, quite literally, to miles. Concurrent storylines scatter the four friends to Alabama, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New York, Maryland and Turkey before delivering them, all together, to the spectacularly beautiful Greek island of Santorini. "It's a broad canvas; rich and exciting in many ways."
In the first film, the pants began their summer journey in Santorini, the most distant of the locales visited. Likewise, production on "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" began in the Greek Islands, revisiting some of those original sets and vistas, such as the home of Lena's grandparents and the place where, three years ago, she met Kostos.
Production designer Gae Buckley, who also made the return trip for the "Sisterhood" sequel, says "The family's cliff-side home and café were the same sites used in the first film. We reproduced the exterior construction and dressing and then created a brand new bedroom in a nearby location for the girls to sleep in."
Picturesque Amoudi Bay, in Oia, is the place where passenger boats disembark and where the four young women hire burros to navigate the steep trail up to the house. The production team artfully rearranged existing boats in the harbor, replaced modern signage with more subdued graphics, and dressed the entire area in lush greens with an overall focus, says Buckley, "on making it appear less touristy and more like a traditional small fishing village."
From there, they selected another Greek locale with contrasting topography to stand in for the archeological dig Bridget attends in Turkey. The excavation set was built from scratch in four weeks, modeled on existing dig sites from the Hellenic period in both Greece and Turkey, and proved convincing enough to warrant approval from local archeologists.
Production then moved to the U.S., where various spots in Connecticut served as a range of East Coast cities. Carmen's Vermont theater world was created from portions of Connecticut, including the KenMont Camp for Boys, the University Theater at Yale in New Haven and the Westport Country Theatre. Bridget's Bethesda home was shot in Bridgeport and her grandmother's suburban Alabama property in Stamford. Exteriors of Lena at the Rhode Island School of Design campus were captured at Western Connecticut State University. Tibby's world was filmed in New York City, from the Weinstein Building at NYU and Washington Square Park to familiar East Village restaurants Two Boots and Yaffa's Café.
By far, the scenes the four stars shared in Santorini were their favorites. And among these, a highlight was the burro ride-not only for the breathtaking perspective of the Santorini harbor it offers and the playful humor it catches on screen, but for the fact that it reunited them in a place that stirred such wonderful memories of their first "Sisterhood" experience.
Says Bledel, "It's very natural when the four of us get together. It's a jumble of noise and nonsense so we don't really have to work very hard on getting that element across in the story's lighter scenes where we're all laughing and having a great time."
Adds Lively, "It's chaos. We get along way too well and sometimes things just happen."
Illustrating this point perfectly is another cast favorite, the cliff-diving scene in Santorini, a purely spontaneous moment away from the cameras that was then incorporated into the story at their suggestion-and with Hamri's enthusiastic support. While enjoying some downtime on a stroll around the village one day prior to filming, the actresses spotted three boys taking turns leaping into the ocean from a rocky perch. The boys were fans. After talking awhile about the movie, they invited their guests to give the dizzying high-dive a try.
Recalls Ferrera, "I was the first to say 'no way! I'm not jumping!' But they talked us into it and it really was exhilarating."
"We did it five times in a row," says Tamblyn, who cannot resist teasing Ferrera by adding, "When we were recreating it for the film, America and I were supposed to jump together but she was being a wuss and didn't go," she laughs. "I didn't realize it until I was underwater and looking around for her. She scared me half to death. I was afraid she hit a rock."
"To me," Hamri concludes, "Carmen, Tibby, Bridget and Lena leaping from that cliff is about them feeling free-with life, and with each other. It's very symbolic. They've all faced their various difficulties and we know there will be more to come because that's life. But for that moment they can just have fun and be girls again, laugh and scream and let it all go. They take the plunge one at a time and in their own way. But, at the same time, they are all together."
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 Lena
Lena
Three years ago, budding artist and shy soul Lena had a near-storybook romance with the charismatic Kostos, a young Greek student she met while visiting her grandparents in Santorini. Though their brief connection was heartfelt, it proved difficult to sustain miles away from the Mediterranean.
Says Alexis Bledel, "Lena and Kostos had real feelings for each other, but the distance was too great. It was too much to ask, and Lena finally ended it for both their sakes, though it broke her heart. At this point, she claims to have moved on, but it's clear that she has not been very successful at putting Kostos out of her thoughts."
Michael Rady, who made his feature film debut as Kostos in "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" in 2005, believes that anyone who has attempted a long-distance relationship will relate. "It's not easy being an ocean apart from your love. To make things worse, following Lena's decision, Kostos had a romantic tryst with someone from the village and did the honorable thing-as befits his character-by marrying her. It's a tragic blow to Lena when she finds out."
Lena pretends everything is fine and immerses herself in her studies at the Rhode Island School of Design. Beginning the summer with a figure-drawing class, she gets the chance to prove that she has, in fact, moved on when she makes an impression on her striking model and fellow art student, Leo, a free spirit unlike anyone she has ever met.
Their meeting is one of Hamri's favorite scenes. "It's so unexpected when Lena finds out that Leo is the model. It's one of the funniest moments in the movie and so aptly illustrates how different they are. Her reactions are priceless, so natural; she's completely embarrassed, and his nonchalance is equally priceless because, to Leo, this is nothing unusual. It's who he is."
Jesse Williams makes his feature film debut in "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" as Leo, whom he describes as "confident without arrogance, happy, a guy who is fully at ease in his own skin. Unlike Lena, his uninhibited approach to life also makes him comfortable flowing in and out of relationships in a way that is foreign to her."
Lena's interest in Leo and her curiosity about his lifestyle marks a significant turning point, notes Hamri. "Will she adapt herself to his easygoing nature and see where it takes her, or will she remain true to herself even if it means missing an enticing opportunity for romance?"
As Lena struggles to sort out her feelings and values, Bridget learns how her mother's history affects her own future, Tibby faces the risks and rewards of love, and Carmen gains focus through new challenges, the Sisterhood strives to keep in touch.
The pants-their old messenger imbued with so much of the optimism and magic of their young lives-continue to make the four-point circuit although, now, there is often no time for an accompanying note.
"The pants have a more subtle presence this time around," notes Hamri, who cites one scene that indicates how the girls' perspective on their former touchstone and good luck charm has changed. "Carmen is going through a particularly stressful period at the theater camp. When her roommate Julia notices the pants that she has earlier tossed into a corner, Carmen dismisses them with an impatient, 'Oh, they're just an old pair of jeans.'"
Still, the director adds, "Whether they know it or not, these young women are not finished with this pair of pants. The pants still have one very important message to deliver."
Three years ago, budding artist and shy soul Lena had a near-storybook romance with the charismatic Kostos, a young Greek student she met while visiting her grandparents in Santorini. Though their brief connection was heartfelt, it proved difficult to sustain miles away from the Mediterranean.
Says Alexis Bledel, "Lena and Kostos had real feelings for each other, but the distance was too great. It was too much to ask, and Lena finally ended it for both their sakes, though it broke her heart. At this point, she claims to have moved on, but it's clear that she has not been very successful at putting Kostos out of her thoughts."
Michael Rady, who made his feature film debut as Kostos in "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" in 2005, believes that anyone who has attempted a long-distance relationship will relate. "It's not easy being an ocean apart from your love. To make things worse, following Lena's decision, Kostos had a romantic tryst with someone from the village and did the honorable thing-as befits his character-by marrying her. It's a tragic blow to Lena when she finds out."
Lena pretends everything is fine and immerses herself in her studies at the Rhode Island School of Design. Beginning the summer with a figure-drawing class, she gets the chance to prove that she has, in fact, moved on when she makes an impression on her striking model and fellow art student, Leo, a free spirit unlike anyone she has ever met.
Their meeting is one of Hamri's favorite scenes. "It's so unexpected when Lena finds out that Leo is the model. It's one of the funniest moments in the movie and so aptly illustrates how different they are. Her reactions are priceless, so natural; she's completely embarrassed, and his nonchalance is equally priceless because, to Leo, this is nothing unusual. It's who he is."
Jesse Williams makes his feature film debut in "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" as Leo, whom he describes as "confident without arrogance, happy, a guy who is fully at ease in his own skin. Unlike Lena, his uninhibited approach to life also makes him comfortable flowing in and out of relationships in a way that is foreign to her."
Lena's interest in Leo and her curiosity about his lifestyle marks a significant turning point, notes Hamri. "Will she adapt herself to his easygoing nature and see where it takes her, or will she remain true to herself even if it means missing an enticing opportunity for romance?"
As Lena struggles to sort out her feelings and values, Bridget learns how her mother's history affects her own future, Tibby faces the risks and rewards of love, and Carmen gains focus through new challenges, the Sisterhood strives to keep in touch.
The pants-their old messenger imbued with so much of the optimism and magic of their young lives-continue to make the four-point circuit although, now, there is often no time for an accompanying note.
"The pants have a more subtle presence this time around," notes Hamri, who cites one scene that indicates how the girls' perspective on their former touchstone and good luck charm has changed. "Carmen is going through a particularly stressful period at the theater camp. When her roommate Julia notices the pants that she has earlier tossed into a corner, Carmen dismisses them with an impatient, 'Oh, they're just an old pair of jeans.'"
Still, the director adds, "Whether they know it or not, these young women are not finished with this pair of pants. The pants still have one very important message to deliver."
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 Bridget
Bridget
Bridget also has difficulty getting close, although in her case the situation is complicated because the person she yearns most to know is the mother she lost years ago and whose memory is rarely acknowledged by her taciturn father-a role played, for the second time, by Blake Lively's own father, Ernie Lively.
Says the actress, "In the first film, Bridget is just running away from her problems. By the end, and with the help of her friends, she is able to recognize this enough to begin talking about it, which is a phenomenal breakthrough but still far from a solution. In this film, we see her really start to face things head-on. It takes a lot of strength."
The new story finds Bridget poised between her first year at Brown University and an excursion to Turkey as a student volunteer on an archeological dig. As usual, Bridget is on the move; her physicality conveniently shifting focus and energy away from introspection.
In the brief time she spends at home, she makes the stunning discovery of a box of decade-old letters addressed to her from her maternal grandmother, Greta-letters Bridget never received or even dreamt existed. After a heated confrontation, Bridget's father explains that by diverting these messages he had hoped to spare his young daughter the pain of being reminded of her loss. But Bridget does not see it the same way and leaves for Turkey in a tumult of emotion.
Once on site, excavating the bones and relics of a domestic Hellenic household, Bridget realizes her avid interest in uncovering the past goes deeper than the academic. "While reconstructing the daily lives of an unknown, centuries-old family, she is finally able to understand that what she needs to dig up and examine are the details of her own past," states Kira Davis.
A candid encounter with the insightful professor leading the dig, played by Academy Award nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo, helps Bridget realize what she must do and returns her to the U.S. to track down the grandmother she barely remembers.
Blythe Danner, who stars as the patient and loving Greta, believes, "Both women are drawn to one another by their heartbreak and by the same need to talk about Bridget's mother: one to ask the questions and the other to provide the answers."
Bridget also has difficulty getting close, although in her case the situation is complicated because the person she yearns most to know is the mother she lost years ago and whose memory is rarely acknowledged by her taciturn father-a role played, for the second time, by Blake Lively's own father, Ernie Lively.
Says the actress, "In the first film, Bridget is just running away from her problems. By the end, and with the help of her friends, she is able to recognize this enough to begin talking about it, which is a phenomenal breakthrough but still far from a solution. In this film, we see her really start to face things head-on. It takes a lot of strength."
The new story finds Bridget poised between her first year at Brown University and an excursion to Turkey as a student volunteer on an archeological dig. As usual, Bridget is on the move; her physicality conveniently shifting focus and energy away from introspection.
In the brief time she spends at home, she makes the stunning discovery of a box of decade-old letters addressed to her from her maternal grandmother, Greta-letters Bridget never received or even dreamt existed. After a heated confrontation, Bridget's father explains that by diverting these messages he had hoped to spare his young daughter the pain of being reminded of her loss. But Bridget does not see it the same way and leaves for Turkey in a tumult of emotion.
Once on site, excavating the bones and relics of a domestic Hellenic household, Bridget realizes her avid interest in uncovering the past goes deeper than the academic. "While reconstructing the daily lives of an unknown, centuries-old family, she is finally able to understand that what she needs to dig up and examine are the details of her own past," states Kira Davis.
A candid encounter with the insightful professor leading the dig, played by Academy Award nominee Shohreh Aghdashloo, helps Bridget realize what she must do and returns her to the U.S. to track down the grandmother she barely remembers.
Blythe Danner, who stars as the patient and loving Greta, believes, "Both women are drawn to one another by their heartbreak and by the same need to talk about Bridget's mother: one to ask the questions and the other to provide the answers."
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 Tibby
Tibby
Meanwhile, Tibby has been honing her talent for documentary filmmaking at NYU, while, in typical Tibby fashion, offering her hilariously razor-sharp movie reviews to bewildered patrons at the East Village video store where she works part-time.
"People are always remarking on Tibby's sense of humor, which is stellar, but a large part of her sarcasm and humor is just to deflect attention from her feelings," Amber Tamblyn observes. "It was fine when she was younger but she's come to a point where it could really hold her back from experiencing life."
Tibby has also been falling in love-though she'd never admit it-with her formerly platonic friend and fellow videophile Brian McBrian, whom we met in the first film. Now, as Chase says, "It's the real deal."
Unfortunately, taking their relationship to the next level results in a crisis that not only mars the emotional delicacy of the moment but could separate them for good, throwing Tibby into a tailspin of panic and self-recrimination.
Says Hamri, "It's traumatic, but something young people often go through in relationships."
Leonardo Nam, returning as the straightforward and sensitive Brian, points out, "Just as the girls have matured, left high school and are navigating their way in the world, so Brian has grown up. He's not the awkward video-game playing geek we first met. Although they're both freaked out by what's happening, their reactions are different: Brian is focused on working things out, but Tibby's impulse is to shut him out."
That, as her friends would attest, is typical Tibby behavior.
Notes Chase, "Tibby has never been a person who lets others get close, and this is a crucial juncture at which she'll either come to a deeper understanding of what love and intimacy are all about or she'll shut the door and stay where she is. It's a journey of maturity for her."
Meanwhile, Tibby has been honing her talent for documentary filmmaking at NYU, while, in typical Tibby fashion, offering her hilariously razor-sharp movie reviews to bewildered patrons at the East Village video store where she works part-time.
"People are always remarking on Tibby's sense of humor, which is stellar, but a large part of her sarcasm and humor is just to deflect attention from her feelings," Amber Tamblyn observes. "It was fine when she was younger but she's come to a point where it could really hold her back from experiencing life."
Tibby has also been falling in love-though she'd never admit it-with her formerly platonic friend and fellow videophile Brian McBrian, whom we met in the first film. Now, as Chase says, "It's the real deal."
Unfortunately, taking their relationship to the next level results in a crisis that not only mars the emotional delicacy of the moment but could separate them for good, throwing Tibby into a tailspin of panic and self-recrimination.
Says Hamri, "It's traumatic, but something young people often go through in relationships."
Leonardo Nam, returning as the straightforward and sensitive Brian, points out, "Just as the girls have matured, left high school and are navigating their way in the world, so Brian has grown up. He's not the awkward video-game playing geek we first met. Although they're both freaked out by what's happening, their reactions are different: Brian is focused on working things out, but Tibby's impulse is to shut him out."
That, as her friends would attest, is typical Tibby behavior.
Notes Chase, "Tibby has never been a person who lets others get close, and this is a crucial juncture at which she'll either come to a deeper understanding of what love and intimacy are all about or she'll shut the door and stay where she is. It's a journey of maturity for her."
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 Carmen
Carmen
After a year at Yale, Carmen has kept pace with her classes but finds her personal life less manageable. Still not sure what she wants to do with her future, she returns to Bethesda with high hopes of reuniting with the sisterhood and is crushed to learn they've all made other plans for the summer. Her mother, played again by Rachel Ticotin, has recently remarried and is now simultaneously preparing for the birth of a baby and moving to a new house, her happiness adding poignantly to Carmen's sense of displacement and disconnection.
"Carmen accepts an invitation from Julia, a drama student she knows at Yale, to work backstage at a theater over the summer because she really has nothing else to do," says America Ferrera. "But she's surprised at how much she grows there."
To her amazement, and with some trepidation, Carmen is cast as the lead in Shakespeare's "A Winter's Tale" and discovers a dormant passion for acting. At the same time, she shyly captures the attention of her charming leading man, Ian, played by British actor Tom Wisdom.
Ian's genuine affection encourages Carmen to shine on stage. But it's the demanding nature of her mercurial director that will test her confidence and conviction like never before and, consequently, lead Carmen to consider whether this accidental turn of events is just a pleasant diversion or possibly a bold new direction for her life.
Interestingly, notes Hamri, "It is not Carmen's success on stage or Ian's flattering overtures that empower her as much as it is Julia's aggressively jealous reaction to these triumphs and the subsequent steps Carmen must make to stand up for herself."
Rachel Nichols, who plays Julia, points out that the role is not that of a simple villain or merely a foil for Carmen-a testament to the attention given each character by Ann Brashares and translated to the screen by Chandler. "Julia is a real person with her own problems and, though she behaves hideously, she is not completely devoid of good qualities. It's possible that Julia might even learn something from this experience... although, clearly, it is Carmen's moment of revelation."
After a year at Yale, Carmen has kept pace with her classes but finds her personal life less manageable. Still not sure what she wants to do with her future, she returns to Bethesda with high hopes of reuniting with the sisterhood and is crushed to learn they've all made other plans for the summer. Her mother, played again by Rachel Ticotin, has recently remarried and is now simultaneously preparing for the birth of a baby and moving to a new house, her happiness adding poignantly to Carmen's sense of displacement and disconnection.
"Carmen accepts an invitation from Julia, a drama student she knows at Yale, to work backstage at a theater over the summer because she really has nothing else to do," says America Ferrera. "But she's surprised at how much she grows there."
To her amazement, and with some trepidation, Carmen is cast as the lead in Shakespeare's "A Winter's Tale" and discovers a dormant passion for acting. At the same time, she shyly captures the attention of her charming leading man, Ian, played by British actor Tom Wisdom.
Ian's genuine affection encourages Carmen to shine on stage. But it's the demanding nature of her mercurial director that will test her confidence and conviction like never before and, consequently, lead Carmen to consider whether this accidental turn of events is just a pleasant diversion or possibly a bold new direction for her life.
Interestingly, notes Hamri, "It is not Carmen's success on stage or Ian's flattering overtures that empower her as much as it is Julia's aggressively jealous reaction to these triumphs and the subsequent steps Carmen must make to stand up for herself."
Rachel Nichols, who plays Julia, points out that the role is not that of a simple villain or merely a foil for Carmen-a testament to the attention given each character by Ann Brashares and translated to the screen by Chandler. "Julia is a real person with her own problems and, though she behaves hideously, she is not completely devoid of good qualities. It's possible that Julia might even learn something from this experience... although, clearly, it is Carmen's moment of revelation."
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2 Production Information
"For as long as I could remember, the four of us shared everything. I
believed that the Sisterhood could survive anything. But we had to learn
on our own how to become ourselves...without losing each other."
-Carmen
Three years have passed since audiences last saw Tibby, Carmen, Bridget and Lena. They were 16 then, best friends, and just beginning to realize the possibilities that lay beyond the Bethesda neighborhood where they all grew up. That summer marked their first brief separation, as Lena visited her grandparents in Greece, Bridget attended soccer camp, Carmen adjusted to her divorced father's new household, and Tibby took a local job to fund her first major video project.
To help them keep in touch back then, they relied upon a unique messenger: a pair of vintage jeans, found in a thrift shop, that miraculously fit each of them perfectly and even seemed to bring them luck. They made a pact to mail the pants to one another throughout the summer months, with notes enclosed from each wearer to the next about everything that had happened during the time the pants were in her possession.
But things are different now. The issues they face now are more adult and the pace of life is faster.
Producer Denise Di Novi, who was also a producer on the original film, says, "The story picks up after the girls' first year of college. They have matured; their concerns and relationships are more complicated. We can see how their friendship has changed as they themselves are changing."
"It's a classic coming-of-age story, but these are modern 21st-century young women," says director Sanaa Hamri. "One of the things I like about the story is how authentic it is and age-appropriate. It's a time of fun and freedom and trying new things, but also a time when we all begin to deal seriously with relationships, self-discovery and confidence. There are often no easy answers to the fundamental questions about who we are and what we want."
It's also a time for learning how to stand up for yourself and what you believe in, as the girls will discover. Unexpected events can uncover painful truths or lead in exciting new directions. Strengths and talents emerge. And love-in its myriad forms-is everywhere.
"The 'Sisterhood' is popular because it's so relatable," observes returning producer Debra Martin Chase. "The movies I like best, and strive to make, are what I call 'universal in the specific.' They're simply about life, with themes that touch people, regardless of gender or generation. This is a story about four young women, but it's also about the kinds of things we all go through to find ourselves and our place in the world."
Equally relatable is that fact that, as Carmen, Tibby, Bridget and Lena pursue their chosen paths, they find it increasingly difficult to stay in touch.
The subtle disconnection becomes evident in the hurried messages they do exchange. Blake Lively, who stars as Bridget, explains. "Previously, the girls knew every facet of each others' lives and it took no time to catch up. Now, Tibby will start to tell Carmen something or Lena will break some new development to Bridget and realize they don't know enough about what's been going on to put this new information in context. They're just not in the loop anymore."
To some extent, that's a good thing. America Ferrera, who stars as Carmen, suggests, "Sometimes you need to see what you're capable of accomplishing on your own. It's time for them to step away from the safety net and find out who they are individually before they can truly appreciate what they have together. It's scary, but a tremendously exciting prospect."
Amber Tamblyn, starring in the role of Tibby, agrees. "When I was that age it was a very turbulent time for me and this film reflects exactly my state of mind. 'Do I really want to do what I'm doing; or do I even know what I'm doing?' Sometimes you have to spend some time alone with those questions."
And sometimes these separations, when they occur, become permanent.
"If you decide the distance is too much or you've grown too far apart, it might be best to let a relationship go. Other times, you fight to keep it," notes Alexis Bledel, who stars as Lena and whose storyline reveals not only the evolution of her bond with the sisterhood but with her former long-distance love, Kostos.
"The challenge," offers Chase, "is how to establish independent lives, accommodate change, and still hold on to each other. That's the challenge of any relationship and ultimately marks the difference between associations of the moment and ones that stand the test of time."
This dichotomy shapes the film's structure. "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" relates Carmen's, Tibby's, Bridget's and Lena's stories as parallel lines that cross and re-cross throughout-a feat of style, logistics and, remarks producer Broderick Johnson, "expert pacing. The stories have to balance one another, connect and separate organically in a way that makes you feel that you're watching one continuous flow rather than four independent vignettes."
Essentially, says Di Novi, "It's five stories, because you have each of the girls' individual dramas contained within the larger framework that holds them together and moves them in the same direction. In adapting the novels, we had to be very judicious about what to include and what to omit. We tried to select the moments that best defined each character. What are their primary struggles? What are the highlights in their lives?"
Screenwriter Elizabeth Chandler, a writer on the original film in 2005, drew upon volumes two, three and four of Ann Brashares' award-winning and internationally best¬selling book series for the sequel, with an emphasis on the fourth, Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood, which brings the friends to precisely this point. "It was decided that the new film would jump three years forward, after the girls had spent a year living very separate lives at different colleges. This allowed us to explore more mature issues and dramatize how the girls deal with these problems while the bonds of their friendship are beginning to unravel," she says.
"However, in trying to craft the most compelling storylines for each character, I incorporated certain dramatic elements from all three books that were particularly meaningful. For example, I adjusted the Turkey sequence to culminate in Bridget's realization that she has unresolved questions to pursue elsewhere, which then takes her to her grandmother's home in Alabama. By combining plotlines from the second and the fourth books, I was able to enhance Bridget's overall arc within the time span of the movie."
Developing the script was a collaborative process involving at times not only the director and producers but also input from the four lead actresses.
Says Hamri, "Our goal was to satisfy the fans of the original movie and the books and, at the same time, create a self-contained saga for an audience that may not have seen 'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' or know the books. That really is the job of a sequel. I knew we had a tough act to follow. But I also knew that these characters had been so well-developed and presented with such honesty that it was clear to see they had a future."
"They really have a life of their own," says producer Kira Davis. "After the first movie, I believe we felt that these characters deserved to live on and, as filmmakers, we approached the sequel with as much anticipation as fans. We wanted to see what these women were going to do next."
And the pants?
Well...
Maybe it never really was about the pants.
The Sisterhood...and Significant Others
"Of course, we would never have considered a sequel without the four actresses who introduced these wonderful characters to audiences everywhere," states Chase, echoing the sentiments of her colleagues.
As life often imitates art, the four young women who met on the set of the first film struck a genuine rapport and have remained friends off-camera since that production wrapped, in their own way reinforcing the "Sisterhood" principle even as their film, stage and television careers keep them very busy and take them around the globe.
Says Di Novi, "I've made many films over the past 20 years and rarely have I seen the kind of chemistry that these women create together."
"The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" reunites the foursome with key characters from the first film while introducing several important new ones, expanding the term "significant others" beyond its standard romantic application to include a wide range of influential people in their lives-family members, mentors and new friends.
Not that there isn't plenty of romance...
Audiences will recognize two familiar handsome faces: Lena's love Kostos, and Tibby's longtime boyfriend Brian McBrian. These young men have also progressed in the ensuing three years on their own trajectories toward adulthood, and returning stars Michael Rady and Leonardo Nam convey that deeper maturity in their roles.
Help, as well as heartache, continues to spring from new and unpredictable sources and every encounter has the potential to help define Carmen, Tibby, Bridget and Lena as the women they are becoming.
believed that the Sisterhood could survive anything. But we had to learn
on our own how to become ourselves...without losing each other."
-Carmen
Three years have passed since audiences last saw Tibby, Carmen, Bridget and Lena. They were 16 then, best friends, and just beginning to realize the possibilities that lay beyond the Bethesda neighborhood where they all grew up. That summer marked their first brief separation, as Lena visited her grandparents in Greece, Bridget attended soccer camp, Carmen adjusted to her divorced father's new household, and Tibby took a local job to fund her first major video project.
To help them keep in touch back then, they relied upon a unique messenger: a pair of vintage jeans, found in a thrift shop, that miraculously fit each of them perfectly and even seemed to bring them luck. They made a pact to mail the pants to one another throughout the summer months, with notes enclosed from each wearer to the next about everything that had happened during the time the pants were in her possession.
But things are different now. The issues they face now are more adult and the pace of life is faster.
Producer Denise Di Novi, who was also a producer on the original film, says, "The story picks up after the girls' first year of college. They have matured; their concerns and relationships are more complicated. We can see how their friendship has changed as they themselves are changing."
"It's a classic coming-of-age story, but these are modern 21st-century young women," says director Sanaa Hamri. "One of the things I like about the story is how authentic it is and age-appropriate. It's a time of fun and freedom and trying new things, but also a time when we all begin to deal seriously with relationships, self-discovery and confidence. There are often no easy answers to the fundamental questions about who we are and what we want."
It's also a time for learning how to stand up for yourself and what you believe in, as the girls will discover. Unexpected events can uncover painful truths or lead in exciting new directions. Strengths and talents emerge. And love-in its myriad forms-is everywhere.
"The 'Sisterhood' is popular because it's so relatable," observes returning producer Debra Martin Chase. "The movies I like best, and strive to make, are what I call 'universal in the specific.' They're simply about life, with themes that touch people, regardless of gender or generation. This is a story about four young women, but it's also about the kinds of things we all go through to find ourselves and our place in the world."
Equally relatable is that fact that, as Carmen, Tibby, Bridget and Lena pursue their chosen paths, they find it increasingly difficult to stay in touch.
The subtle disconnection becomes evident in the hurried messages they do exchange. Blake Lively, who stars as Bridget, explains. "Previously, the girls knew every facet of each others' lives and it took no time to catch up. Now, Tibby will start to tell Carmen something or Lena will break some new development to Bridget and realize they don't know enough about what's been going on to put this new information in context. They're just not in the loop anymore."
To some extent, that's a good thing. America Ferrera, who stars as Carmen, suggests, "Sometimes you need to see what you're capable of accomplishing on your own. It's time for them to step away from the safety net and find out who they are individually before they can truly appreciate what they have together. It's scary, but a tremendously exciting prospect."
Amber Tamblyn, starring in the role of Tibby, agrees. "When I was that age it was a very turbulent time for me and this film reflects exactly my state of mind. 'Do I really want to do what I'm doing; or do I even know what I'm doing?' Sometimes you have to spend some time alone with those questions."
And sometimes these separations, when they occur, become permanent.
"If you decide the distance is too much or you've grown too far apart, it might be best to let a relationship go. Other times, you fight to keep it," notes Alexis Bledel, who stars as Lena and whose storyline reveals not only the evolution of her bond with the sisterhood but with her former long-distance love, Kostos.
"The challenge," offers Chase, "is how to establish independent lives, accommodate change, and still hold on to each other. That's the challenge of any relationship and ultimately marks the difference between associations of the moment and ones that stand the test of time."
This dichotomy shapes the film's structure. "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" relates Carmen's, Tibby's, Bridget's and Lena's stories as parallel lines that cross and re-cross throughout-a feat of style, logistics and, remarks producer Broderick Johnson, "expert pacing. The stories have to balance one another, connect and separate organically in a way that makes you feel that you're watching one continuous flow rather than four independent vignettes."
Essentially, says Di Novi, "It's five stories, because you have each of the girls' individual dramas contained within the larger framework that holds them together and moves them in the same direction. In adapting the novels, we had to be very judicious about what to include and what to omit. We tried to select the moments that best defined each character. What are their primary struggles? What are the highlights in their lives?"
Screenwriter Elizabeth Chandler, a writer on the original film in 2005, drew upon volumes two, three and four of Ann Brashares' award-winning and internationally best¬selling book series for the sequel, with an emphasis on the fourth, Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood, which brings the friends to precisely this point. "It was decided that the new film would jump three years forward, after the girls had spent a year living very separate lives at different colleges. This allowed us to explore more mature issues and dramatize how the girls deal with these problems while the bonds of their friendship are beginning to unravel," she says.
"However, in trying to craft the most compelling storylines for each character, I incorporated certain dramatic elements from all three books that were particularly meaningful. For example, I adjusted the Turkey sequence to culminate in Bridget's realization that she has unresolved questions to pursue elsewhere, which then takes her to her grandmother's home in Alabama. By combining plotlines from the second and the fourth books, I was able to enhance Bridget's overall arc within the time span of the movie."
Developing the script was a collaborative process involving at times not only the director and producers but also input from the four lead actresses.
Says Hamri, "Our goal was to satisfy the fans of the original movie and the books and, at the same time, create a self-contained saga for an audience that may not have seen 'The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants' or know the books. That really is the job of a sequel. I knew we had a tough act to follow. But I also knew that these characters had been so well-developed and presented with such honesty that it was clear to see they had a future."
"They really have a life of their own," says producer Kira Davis. "After the first movie, I believe we felt that these characters deserved to live on and, as filmmakers, we approached the sequel with as much anticipation as fans. We wanted to see what these women were going to do next."
And the pants?
Well...
Maybe it never really was about the pants.
The Sisterhood...and Significant Others
"Of course, we would never have considered a sequel without the four actresses who introduced these wonderful characters to audiences everywhere," states Chase, echoing the sentiments of her colleagues.
As life often imitates art, the four young women who met on the set of the first film struck a genuine rapport and have remained friends off-camera since that production wrapped, in their own way reinforcing the "Sisterhood" principle even as their film, stage and television careers keep them very busy and take them around the globe.
Says Di Novi, "I've made many films over the past 20 years and rarely have I seen the kind of chemistry that these women create together."
"The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" reunites the foursome with key characters from the first film while introducing several important new ones, expanding the term "significant others" beyond its standard romantic application to include a wide range of influential people in their lives-family members, mentors and new friends.
Not that there isn't plenty of romance...
Audiences will recognize two familiar handsome faces: Lena's love Kostos, and Tibby's longtime boyfriend Brian McBrian. These young men have also progressed in the ensuing three years on their own trajectories toward adulthood, and returning stars Michael Rady and Leonardo Nam convey that deeper maturity in their roles.
Help, as well as heartache, continues to spring from new and unpredictable sources and every encounter has the potential to help define Carmen, Tibby, Bridget and Lena as the women they are becoming.
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2
Following freshman year at college, best friends Tibby (Amber Tamblyn), Lena (Alexis Bledel), Carmen (America Ferrera) and Bridget (Blake Lively) find it increasingly difficult to stay in touch. As their lives take different paths, it may take more than a shared pair of well-worn blue jeans to keep their bonds from completely unraveling.
Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrera, Blake Lively and Alexis Bledel reunite onscreen in "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" as the lifelong best friends audiences fell in love with three years ago.
Based on Ann Brashares' best-selling series of novels about four young women who share an unbreakable bond through the unpredictable events of their lives, the new story catches up with Tibby, Carmen, Bridget and Lena in the months following their first year of college.
Having been apart all year, their plans for the summer will take them even further along separate paths as each experiences the freedom, love, choices and challenging life lessons that mark their individual journeys toward adulthood. Now it will take more than a hurried note...or even a treasured pair of pants passed back and forth among them to keep their lives connected.
Feeling displaced at home with her mother expecting a new baby, and disappointed that her friends opted to spend the summer away, Carmen (America Ferrera) accepts a chance invitation to work backstage at a theater festival in Vermont. There, she surprisingly finds herself thrust into the spotlight for the very first time and simultaneously becomes the focus of the play's handsome young leading man.
Tibby (Amber Tamblyn), meanwhile, remains in New York City to wrap an NYU film project while cautiously taking her relationship with Brian McBrian (Leonardo Nam) to the next level. When an unexpected crisis complicates everything, she must finally face her fear of getting close if she wants to let love in.
Bridget (Blake Lively), still struggling with the loss of her mother and questions about her past, travels to Turkey for an archeological dig before realizing that the truths she needs to uncover are buried closer to home.
And Lena (Alexis Bledel), separated from first love Kostos (Michael Rady) and studying at the Rhode Island School of Design, meets a free-spirited fellow art student (Jesse Williams) who forces her to choose between holding on to her memories or mending her heart and pursuing an exciting new love.
For Tibby, Carmen, Bridget and Lena, communication was always as easy as breathing. Now, new priorities and rapid changes make it harder for them to keep in touch. Messages are sometimes missed... or misunderstood. But when it matters most, they will still reach out to those who know them best.
Finding a way to share their experiences as they always have, with heart and humor, they will come to value more than ever the immeasurable power of their friendship.
Alcon Entertainment presents a Di Novi Pictures / Debra Martin Chase Production, in association with Alloy Entertainment: "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2," reuniting stars Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrera, Blake Lively and Alexis Bledel. The film also stars Rachel Nichols, Rachel Ticotin, Shohreh Aghdashloo and Blythe Danner.
Directed by Sanaa Hamri from a screenplay by Elizabeth Chandler, based on the novels by Ann Brashares, the film is produced by Debra Martin Chase, Denise Di Novi, Broderick Johnson and Kira Davis. Andrew A. Kosove, Christine Sacani, Alison Greenspan, Leslie Morgenstein and Bob Levy serve as executive producers, with Steven P. Wegner, Yolanda T. Cochran and Gaylyn Fraiche as co-producers.
The creative team includes director of photography Jim Denault, production designer Gae Buckley and editor Melissa Kent. Music is by Rachel Portman, with music supervisor Julia Michels. Costumes are designed by Dona Granata.
"The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" will be released worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. Rated PG-13 for mature material and sensuality.
Following freshman year at college, best friends Tibby (Amber Tamblyn), Lena (Alexis Bledel), Carmen (America Ferrera) and Bridget (Blake Lively) find it increasingly difficult to stay in touch. As their lives take different paths, it may take more than a shared pair of well-worn blue jeans to keep their bonds from completely unraveling.
Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrera, Blake Lively and Alexis Bledel reunite onscreen in "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" as the lifelong best friends audiences fell in love with three years ago.
Based on Ann Brashares' best-selling series of novels about four young women who share an unbreakable bond through the unpredictable events of their lives, the new story catches up with Tibby, Carmen, Bridget and Lena in the months following their first year of college.
Having been apart all year, their plans for the summer will take them even further along separate paths as each experiences the freedom, love, choices and challenging life lessons that mark their individual journeys toward adulthood. Now it will take more than a hurried note...or even a treasured pair of pants passed back and forth among them to keep their lives connected.
Feeling displaced at home with her mother expecting a new baby, and disappointed that her friends opted to spend the summer away, Carmen (America Ferrera) accepts a chance invitation to work backstage at a theater festival in Vermont. There, she surprisingly finds herself thrust into the spotlight for the very first time and simultaneously becomes the focus of the play's handsome young leading man.
Tibby (Amber Tamblyn), meanwhile, remains in New York City to wrap an NYU film project while cautiously taking her relationship with Brian McBrian (Leonardo Nam) to the next level. When an unexpected crisis complicates everything, she must finally face her fear of getting close if she wants to let love in.
Bridget (Blake Lively), still struggling with the loss of her mother and questions about her past, travels to Turkey for an archeological dig before realizing that the truths she needs to uncover are buried closer to home.
And Lena (Alexis Bledel), separated from first love Kostos (Michael Rady) and studying at the Rhode Island School of Design, meets a free-spirited fellow art student (Jesse Williams) who forces her to choose between holding on to her memories or mending her heart and pursuing an exciting new love.
For Tibby, Carmen, Bridget and Lena, communication was always as easy as breathing. Now, new priorities and rapid changes make it harder for them to keep in touch. Messages are sometimes missed... or misunderstood. But when it matters most, they will still reach out to those who know them best.
Finding a way to share their experiences as they always have, with heart and humor, they will come to value more than ever the immeasurable power of their friendship.
Alcon Entertainment presents a Di Novi Pictures / Debra Martin Chase Production, in association with Alloy Entertainment: "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2," reuniting stars Amber Tamblyn, America Ferrera, Blake Lively and Alexis Bledel. The film also stars Rachel Nichols, Rachel Ticotin, Shohreh Aghdashloo and Blythe Danner.
Directed by Sanaa Hamri from a screenplay by Elizabeth Chandler, based on the novels by Ann Brashares, the film is produced by Debra Martin Chase, Denise Di Novi, Broderick Johnson and Kira Davis. Andrew A. Kosove, Christine Sacani, Alison Greenspan, Leslie Morgenstein and Bob Levy serve as executive producers, with Steven P. Wegner, Yolanda T. Cochran and Gaylyn Fraiche as co-producers.
The creative team includes director of photography Jim Denault, production designer Gae Buckley and editor Melissa Kent. Music is by Rachel Portman, with music supervisor Julia Michels. Costumes are designed by Dona Granata.
"The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2" will be released worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. Rated PG-13 for mature material and sensuality.
Oliver Wood, Clayton Hartley, Brent White, Susan Matheson
OLIVER WOOD (Director of Photography) most recently worked on the films The Bourne Ultimatum, Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Fantastic Four, The Bourne Supremacy and Scooby Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed. The London-born cinematographer began his career in 1970 with The Honeymoon Killers and went on to work on an array of television and film projects that includes the television series "Miami Vice" and the motion pictures Die Hard 2, The Adventures of Ford Fairlane, Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey, Rudy, Terminal Velocity, Mr. Holland's Opus, Celtic Pride, 2 Days in the Valley, Face/Off, Switchback, Mighty Joe Young, U-571, The Bourne Identity, The Adventures of Pluto Nash, I Spy, National Security and Freaky Friday. He is currently filming The Surrogates for director Jonathan Mostow.
CLAYTON HARTLEY (Production Designer) most recently designed the films Semi-Pro and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. His many other credits as production designer include Kicking & Screaming, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and American Wedding. Beginning his career as an assistant art director on The Return of the Living Dead and Hoosiers, he became an art director on such motion pictures as Getting Even with Dad, Jerry Maguire, The Other Sister and Double Take, and co-designed Cameron Crowe's Almost Famous. He also was production designer for the television series "Going to California."
BRENT WHITE (Editor) worked with Adam McKay on Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby and with producer Judd Apatow on The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up as well as on the television productions "Freaks and Geeks" and "Undeclared." He began his career as an editor for the Sundance Film Institute's summer lab program and has assisted on such films as The Milagro Beanfield War, Glory, Fluke and Home for the Holidays. His other credits as editor include A River Runs Through It, "And The Band Played On," Matilda, Wildflowers, Panic, The Slaughter Rule, and the television series "Desperate Housewives."
SUSAN MATHESON (Costume Designer) started her costume career by designing for Barbie. The Vassar College graduate went on to design costumes for both film and theater. Most recently, she has designed costumes for Semi-Pro, The Kingdom, and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. Other credits include the films Best Laid Plans, Crazy/Beautiful, Blue Crush, and Friday Night Lights.
CLAYTON HARTLEY (Production Designer) most recently designed the films Semi-Pro and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. His many other credits as production designer include Kicking & Screaming, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and American Wedding. Beginning his career as an assistant art director on The Return of the Living Dead and Hoosiers, he became an art director on such motion pictures as Getting Even with Dad, Jerry Maguire, The Other Sister and Double Take, and co-designed Cameron Crowe's Almost Famous. He also was production designer for the television series "Going to California."
BRENT WHITE (Editor) worked with Adam McKay on Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby and with producer Judd Apatow on The 40-Year-Old Virgin and Knocked Up as well as on the television productions "Freaks and Geeks" and "Undeclared." He began his career as an editor for the Sundance Film Institute's summer lab program and has assisted on such films as The Milagro Beanfield War, Glory, Fluke and Home for the Holidays. His other credits as editor include A River Runs Through It, "And The Band Played On," Matilda, Wildflowers, Panic, The Slaughter Rule, and the television series "Desperate Housewives."
SUSAN MATHESON (Costume Designer) started her costume career by designing for Barbie. The Vassar College graduate went on to design costumes for both film and theater. Most recently, she has designed costumes for Semi-Pro, The Kingdom, and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. Other credits include the films Best Laid Plans, Crazy/Beautiful, Blue Crush, and Friday Night Lights.
DAVID HOUSEHOLTER (Executive Producer) Step Brothers
DAVID HOUSEHOLTER (Executive Producer) previously collaborated with Will Ferrell on Semi-Pro for New Line Cinema, on Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby for Columbia Pictures, on Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy for DreamWorks, and on Elf for New Line Cinema.
For DreamWorks, Householter executive produced 2007's hit comedy Norbit, starring Eddie Murphy, and the Reese Witherspoon/Mark Ruffalo romantic comedy Just Like Heaven. He also served as Co-Producer/Unit Production Manager on the 2003 Paramount sci-fi film The Core, directed by Jon Amiel, as well as the teen action movie Clockstoppers for Paramount and director Jonathan Frakes.
Householter began working on films in 1984 as a set production assistant on Wes Craven's seminal horror film A Nightmare on Elm Street and soon took the next step up the ladder as a second assistant director on Paul Verhoeven's Robocop. His credits as a first assistant director include Drugstore Cowboy, The Marrying Man, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Heavyweights, and The Nutty Professor. As a unit production manager, Householter worked on a number of projects, beginning with The Chamber and including such films as Mystery Men and Little Nicky.
For DreamWorks, Householter executive produced 2007's hit comedy Norbit, starring Eddie Murphy, and the Reese Witherspoon/Mark Ruffalo romantic comedy Just Like Heaven. He also served as Co-Producer/Unit Production Manager on the 2003 Paramount sci-fi film The Core, directed by Jon Amiel, as well as the teen action movie Clockstoppers for Paramount and director Jonathan Frakes.
Householter began working on films in 1984 as a set production assistant on Wes Craven's seminal horror film A Nightmare on Elm Street and soon took the next step up the ladder as a second assistant director on Paul Verhoeven's Robocop. His credits as a first assistant director include Drugstore Cowboy, The Marrying Man, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Heavyweights, and The Nutty Professor. As a unit production manager, Householter worked on a number of projects, beginning with The Chamber and including such films as Mystery Men and Little Nicky.
Jon Brion - Step Brothers, Punch-Drunk Love, Magnolia
In a decade, JON BRION's (Music) film music career has developed in exponential proportions. Brion is a singer, songwriter, composer, music producer, and instrumentalist. As a performer, he plays an instrument or two ... or three ... or four ... or even five, simultaneously on stage. With his multifaceted musicianship and knack for improvisation, Brion has become popular in both the music and film industry.
As a film composer, Brion recently scored and wrote songs for the comedy film I (heart) Huckabees. In 2006, he composed the score to The Break Up. He also composed the score to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, for which he received a Best Score nomination by the World Soundtrack Awards. Additionally, Brion also composed scores for the recent films Punch-Drunk Love (2001) and Magnolia (1999), the latter of which earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Score.
High in demand as a producer and studio musician, Brion often finds himself working with a number of major industry names, collaborating with artists that include Kanye West, Dido, Macy Gray, Rufus Wainwright, The Crystal Method, Jude Cole, Susanna Hoffs, Sam Phillips, and the Eels. Brion contributed much of the sound on Aimee Mann's two solo albums and produced Fiona Apple's debut album "Tidal." He also produced much of Apple's second album.
In addition to his collaboration with top artists, Brion as a performer has released his own work. His first solo album, "Meaningless," was released in 2001. He had previously released "Ro Sham Bo" with his former band, the Grays, which included popular Jellyfish guitarist Jason Falkner.
As a live performer, Brion is well known for his live one-man improvisational act at the famous West Hollywood nightclub Largo. Every Friday night for the past eight years, fans and newcomers have come to see Brion's popular show, which consists of his multi-instrumental performance, song improvisations (often mixes of songs shouted from the audience), and eclectic cover versions of songs by Cheap Trick and the Beatles.
Brion's versatile talent is no surprise. His father was director of Yale's concert and marching bands, and his mother was a singer for various jazz bands. After leaving his hometown of New Haven, Connecticut, Brion moved to Boston. In Boston, he fine-tuned his melodic and improvisational skills, eventually leading to periodic studio work in California, where he eventually moved in the '90s.
Brion is currently in the studio recording a second solo album.
As a film composer, Brion recently scored and wrote songs for the comedy film I (heart) Huckabees. In 2006, he composed the score to The Break Up. He also composed the score to Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, for which he received a Best Score nomination by the World Soundtrack Awards. Additionally, Brion also composed scores for the recent films Punch-Drunk Love (2001) and Magnolia (1999), the latter of which earned him a Grammy nomination for Best Score.
High in demand as a producer and studio musician, Brion often finds himself working with a number of major industry names, collaborating with artists that include Kanye West, Dido, Macy Gray, Rufus Wainwright, The Crystal Method, Jude Cole, Susanna Hoffs, Sam Phillips, and the Eels. Brion contributed much of the sound on Aimee Mann's two solo albums and produced Fiona Apple's debut album "Tidal." He also produced much of Apple's second album.
In addition to his collaboration with top artists, Brion as a performer has released his own work. His first solo album, "Meaningless," was released in 2001. He had previously released "Ro Sham Bo" with his former band, the Grays, which included popular Jellyfish guitarist Jason Falkner.
As a live performer, Brion is well known for his live one-man improvisational act at the famous West Hollywood nightclub Largo. Every Friday night for the past eight years, fans and newcomers have come to see Brion's popular show, which consists of his multi-instrumental performance, song improvisations (often mixes of songs shouted from the audience), and eclectic cover versions of songs by Cheap Trick and the Beatles.
Brion's versatile talent is no surprise. His father was director of Yale's concert and marching bands, and his mother was a singer for various jazz bands. After leaving his hometown of New Haven, Connecticut, Brion moved to Boston. In Boston, he fine-tuned his melodic and improvisational skills, eventually leading to periodic studio work in California, where he eventually moved in the '90s.
Brion is currently in the studio recording a second solo album.
HAL WILLNER (Music supervisor)
HAL WILLNER (Music supervisor) is among the most eclectic and original producers in contemporary music, helming a series of wildly ambitious concept albums that tapped the talents of artists running the gamut from pop to jazz to the avant-garde. Born in Philadelphia in 1957, he first earned notice in 1981 with "Amarcord Nino Rota," a tribute to the legendary composer best known for his collaborations with filmmaker Federico Fellini. In addition to contributions from pop icon Debbie Harry and jazz-piano great Jaki Byard, the collection also featured appearances by then unknowns Wynton Marsalis and Bill Frisell. That same year, Willner also signed on as the music supervisor for the long-running NBC sketch comedy series "Saturday Night Live," a position he holds to this day.
"That's the Way I Feel Now -- A Tribute to Thelonious Monk," a showcase for acts ranging from Dr. John to Joe Jackson to John Zorn, followed in 1984, and a year later Willner launched "Lost in the Stars -- The Music of Kurt Weill," which featured contributions from Sting, Tom Waits, and Lou Reed. A year later, after turning to film, he worked on a pair of 1987 projects: Heaven and Candy Mountain. Willner earned considerable notice for "Stay Awake," a tribute to the classic music of Walt Disney's animated films that featured Ringo Starr, Sun Ra, and Sinead O'Connor. Music for animated films remained one of his preoccupations in the years that followed and, in 1990, he assembled "The Carl Stalling Project," a collection of vintage cartoon scores from the legendary Warner Bros. studio composer. (A sequel appeared in 1995.)
In 1989, Willner began a stint as producer on the innovative but short-lived syndicated television series "Michelob Presents: Night Music," followed in 1992 by "Weird Nightmare -- Meditations on Mingus," another all-star tribute, this time featuring Elvis Costello, Keith Richards, and Henry Rollins. A year later, he collaborated with filmmaker Robert Altman on the acclaimed Short Cuts, a working relationship that extended to 1996's Kansas City and its accompanying "Robert Altman's Jazz '34." After wrapping up 1998's "Closed on Account of Rabies: Poems and Tales of Edgar Allan Poe" (spotlighting performances by Iggy Pop, Ken Nordine, and Jeff Buckley), Willner signed to Howie B.'s Pussyfoot label to release his proper solo debut "Whoops, I'm an Indian!"
Other record-producing assignments followed, notably albums for Lou Reed ("Ecstasy," Warner Bros.), and Laurie Anderson ("Life on A String," Nonesuch), as well as a series of live-event tributes to Edgar Allan Poe, Allen Ginsberg, Harry Smith, Lenny Bruce, and the Marquis De Sade. These tributes featured an incredibly diverse group of performers including Lou Reed, Wynton Marsalis, Elvis Costello, Will Ferrell, Gavin Friday, Beck, Steve Earle, Anthony and the Johnsons, Marianne Faithful, David Johannsen, Chloe Webb, and Philip Glass.
More recent music supervision projects in film include building a score from obscure Miles Davis and Ornette Coleman recordings for Gus Van Sant's Finding Forrester, collaborations with Bono, Daniel Lanois, and Brian Eno on Wim Wender's Million Dollar Hotel, and Adam McKay's Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, both starring Will Ferrell.
"That's the Way I Feel Now -- A Tribute to Thelonious Monk," a showcase for acts ranging from Dr. John to Joe Jackson to John Zorn, followed in 1984, and a year later Willner launched "Lost in the Stars -- The Music of Kurt Weill," which featured contributions from Sting, Tom Waits, and Lou Reed. A year later, after turning to film, he worked on a pair of 1987 projects: Heaven and Candy Mountain. Willner earned considerable notice for "Stay Awake," a tribute to the classic music of Walt Disney's animated films that featured Ringo Starr, Sun Ra, and Sinead O'Connor. Music for animated films remained one of his preoccupations in the years that followed and, in 1990, he assembled "The Carl Stalling Project," a collection of vintage cartoon scores from the legendary Warner Bros. studio composer. (A sequel appeared in 1995.)
In 1989, Willner began a stint as producer on the innovative but short-lived syndicated television series "Michelob Presents: Night Music," followed in 1992 by "Weird Nightmare -- Meditations on Mingus," another all-star tribute, this time featuring Elvis Costello, Keith Richards, and Henry Rollins. A year later, he collaborated with filmmaker Robert Altman on the acclaimed Short Cuts, a working relationship that extended to 1996's Kansas City and its accompanying "Robert Altman's Jazz '34." After wrapping up 1998's "Closed on Account of Rabies: Poems and Tales of Edgar Allan Poe" (spotlighting performances by Iggy Pop, Ken Nordine, and Jeff Buckley), Willner signed to Howie B.'s Pussyfoot label to release his proper solo debut "Whoops, I'm an Indian!"
Other record-producing assignments followed, notably albums for Lou Reed ("Ecstasy," Warner Bros.), and Laurie Anderson ("Life on A String," Nonesuch), as well as a series of live-event tributes to Edgar Allan Poe, Allen Ginsberg, Harry Smith, Lenny Bruce, and the Marquis De Sade. These tributes featured an incredibly diverse group of performers including Lou Reed, Wynton Marsalis, Elvis Costello, Will Ferrell, Gavin Friday, Beck, Steve Earle, Anthony and the Johnsons, Marianne Faithful, David Johannsen, Chloe Webb, and Philip Glass.
More recent music supervision projects in film include building a score from obscure Miles Davis and Ornette Coleman recordings for Gus Van Sant's Finding Forrester, collaborations with Bono, Daniel Lanois, and Brian Eno on Wim Wender's Million Dollar Hotel, and Adam McKay's Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, and Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, both starring Will Ferrell.
JUDD APATOW (Producer)
JUDD APATOW (Producer) made his feature directorial debut with the 2005 summer box-office smash The 40-Year-Old Virgin and followed up with the Universal release Knocked Up. His next film as a writer, director and producer is Funny People, starring Adam Sandler, Leslie Mann, and Seth Rogen, which will start production in September.
Apatow recently co-wrote the hit film You Don't Mess with the Zohan. He also recently produced April's Forgetting Sarah Marshall, last December's comedy Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (a film he also co-wrote), last summer's Superbad, the summer 2006 hit Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby and 2004's Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.
Apatow also produced and co-wrote the story for this summer's Pineapple Express and serves as producer of 2009's Year One.
Apatow's credits on the small screen include the critically praised, award-winning series "Freaks and Geeks," as well as the series "Undeclared," which was named one of TIME magazine's Ten Best Shows of 2001. Apatow also worked as a writer, director, and producer on the award-winning and widely acclaimed series "The Larry Sanders Show."
Born in Syosset, New York, Apatow aspired to become a professional comedian at an early age. While still in high school, he created a radio show and began interviewing comedy personalities he admired, including Steve Allen, Howard Stern and John Candy. Inspired, he began performing his own stand-up routines by the end of his senior year.
Apatow recently co-wrote the hit film You Don't Mess with the Zohan. He also recently produced April's Forgetting Sarah Marshall, last December's comedy Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (a film he also co-wrote), last summer's Superbad, the summer 2006 hit Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby and 2004's Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy.
Apatow also produced and co-wrote the story for this summer's Pineapple Express and serves as producer of 2009's Year One.
Apatow's credits on the small screen include the critically praised, award-winning series "Freaks and Geeks," as well as the series "Undeclared," which was named one of TIME magazine's Ten Best Shows of 2001. Apatow also worked as a writer, director, and producer on the award-winning and widely acclaimed series "The Larry Sanders Show."
Born in Syosset, New York, Apatow aspired to become a professional comedian at an early age. While still in high school, he created a radio show and began interviewing comedy personalities he admired, including Steve Allen, Howard Stern and John Candy. Inspired, he began performing his own stand-up routines by the end of his senior year.
JIMMY MILLER (Producer) - Step Brothers
JIMMY MILLER (Producer), founder of The Miller Company and currently a principal in Mosaic Media Group, manages some of the most sought-after comedy talent in the industry, including actors Jim Carrey, Will Ferrell and Sacha Baron Cohen.
He has also helped shape the careers of some of the most talented writers and directors in the comedy genre, such as Jay Roach of the Austin Powers trilogy, Meet the Parents and Meet the Fockers; Judd Apatow, of The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up and Superbad; Adam McKay of Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby and Anchorman; and Steve Rudnick and Leo Benvenuti of The Santa Clause trilogy and Kicking & Screaming.
Miller's film producing credits include Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Elf, Semi-Pro, and the current release Get Smart.
He is currently in production on the adventure comedy Land of the Lost, starring Will Ferrell, and the romantic comedy She's Out of My League.
He has also helped shape the careers of some of the most talented writers and directors in the comedy genre, such as Jay Roach of the Austin Powers trilogy, Meet the Parents and Meet the Fockers; Judd Apatow, of The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Knocked Up and Superbad; Adam McKay of Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby and Anchorman; and Steve Rudnick and Leo Benvenuti of The Santa Clause trilogy and Kicking & Screaming.
Miller's film producing credits include Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Elf, Semi-Pro, and the current release Get Smart.
He is currently in production on the adventure comedy Land of the Lost, starring Will Ferrell, and the romantic comedy She's Out of My League.
ADAM McKAY Director Screenplay by Story by Executive Producer
ADAM McKAY (Director/Screenplay by/Story by/Executive Producer) co-wrote and directed Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, which he followed up by co-writing, directing, and executive producing Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby.
McKay co-wrote both films with Will Ferrell. The two had been longtime friends since spending several years together on "Saturday Night Live," where McKay served as head writer and the creator of many of that series' most memorable sketches and short films from 1995-2001.
Along with Will Ferrell and Chris Henchy, McKay started the comedy site Funny or Die, which now gets 35 million hits a year. McKay also wrote and acted in The Landlord, which starred his then-20-month-old daughter, Pearl.
Born in Philadelphia, he trained in improvisational theatre with the Second City and Upright Citizens Brigade performance groups in Chicago. He also wrote for Michael Moore's TV show "The Awful Truth."
McKay co-wrote both films with Will Ferrell. The two had been longtime friends since spending several years together on "Saturday Night Live," where McKay served as head writer and the creator of many of that series' most memorable sketches and short films from 1995-2001.
Along with Will Ferrell and Chris Henchy, McKay started the comedy site Funny or Die, which now gets 35 million hits a year. McKay also wrote and acted in The Landlord, which starred his then-20-month-old daughter, Pearl.
Born in Philadelphia, he trained in improvisational theatre with the Second City and Upright Citizens Brigade performance groups in Chicago. He also wrote for Michael Moore's TV show "The Awful Truth."
KATHRYN HAHN (Alice Huff)
A natural talent with an engaging presence and undeniable energy, KATHRYN HAHN (Alice Huff) has made her mark through a variety of entertaining and memorable character roles. Through a number of upcoming projects, Hahn is poised to become one of Hollywood's leading actresses.
Currently, Hahn stars in her Broadway debut in the Tony-winning play "Boeing-Boeing" alongside Bradley Whitford, Gina Gershon, Mary McCormack, and Christine Baranski. Boeing-Boeing won the 2008 Tony in the category of "Best Revival of a Play."
Additionally, she will appear in Sam Mendes' next film, Revolutionary Road. The film centers around a young couple, played by Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, living in a Connecticut suburb during the mid-1950s. Kathryn plays Milly Campbell, the couple's neighbor. Paramount Vantage will release the film December 26, 2008.
Also upcoming, Hahn co-stars in The Goods: The Don Ready Story, directed by Neal Brennan. The film revolves around salesman Don Ready (Jeremy Piven) and his crew who are asked to help save an ailing local car dealership from bankruptcy. Paramount Vantage will open the film February 27, 2009.
Currently, Hahn stars in her Broadway debut in the Tony-winning play "Boeing-Boeing" alongside Bradley Whitford, Gina Gershon, Mary McCormack, and Christine Baranski. Boeing-Boeing won the 2008 Tony in the category of "Best Revival of a Play."
Additionally, she will appear in Sam Mendes' next film, Revolutionary Road. The film centers around a young couple, played by Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio, living in a Connecticut suburb during the mid-1950s. Kathryn plays Milly Campbell, the couple's neighbor. Paramount Vantage will release the film December 26, 2008.
Also upcoming, Hahn co-stars in The Goods: The Don Ready Story, directed by Neal Brennan. The film revolves around salesman Don Ready (Jeremy Piven) and his crew who are asked to help save an ailing local car dealership from bankruptcy. Paramount Vantage will open the film February 27, 2009.
ADAM SCOTT (Derek Huff)
A dynamic young actor, ADAM SCOTT (Derek Huff) has crafted a distinguished career in theatre and television and is quickly becoming one of the finest newcomers to hit the big screen.
Scott will soon be seen in August, a drama that centers on two brothers (Scott and Josh Hartnett) who continue to fight to keep their start-up company afloat on Wall Street during August 2001, a month before the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In addition, he recently completed production on two independent features; Lovely, Still, a holiday fable that tells the story of an elderly man discovering love for the first time, with Ellen Burstyn and Martin Landau, as well as The Vicious Kind, a dramedy about a man who becomes obsessed with the girlfriend his brother brings home for Thanksgiving.
Scott also stars in the critically acclaimed HBO series "Tell Me You Love Me" which features an ensemble cast and returns to HBO later this year.
Scott recently appeared in the blockbuster comedy Knocked Up, directed by Judd Apatow, as well as The Great Buck Howard, opposite John Malkovich. The previous year, Scott appeared in the dramatic thriller First Snow, directed by Marc Fergus and co-starring Guy Pearce; the dark comedy Corporate Affairs, alongside Breckin Meyer for director Dan Cohen; and the romantic comedy Who Loves The Sun, starring with Lukas Haas and Molly Parker for director Matthew Bissonette.
Prior to that, Scott appeared in Art School Confidential with John Malkovich and Anjelica Huston, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Terry Zwigoff, for Sony Pictures Classics. Additional feature film credits include The Return, The Matador, opposite Pierce Brosnan, Greg Kinnear, and Hope Davis, and New Line Cinema's romantic comedy, Monster-In-Law, directed by Robert Luketic and starring Jennifer Lopez and Jane Fonda. In addition, he portrayed Johnny Meyer, Howard Hughes' smarmy press agent, in Miramax's Oscar®-winning film The Aviator, alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, John C. Reilly and Alec Baldwin for legendary director Martin Scorsese. Scott was previously seen in the Warner Bros. action feature Torque, Carl Franklin's High Crimes, the independent black comedy Two Days, Christopher Haifley's independent film Ronnie, Star Trek: First Contact and numerous independent films including Robert Mickelson's Off the Lip, Jonathan Kahn's Girl, Ted Melfi's Winding Roads, David McKay's The Lesser Evil, Lawrence Trilling's Dinner & Driving and Derek Simonds' Seven and a Match.
In a notable two-episode stint on HBO's acclaimed "Six Feet Under," Scott played the role of Ben Dooley, a public defender and boyfriend to Michael C. Hall's character, David Fisher. Additional television credits include "Law & Order," "Veronica Mars," Ken Cameron's "Payback," an ABC movie-of-the-week with Mary Tyler Moore and Ed Asner, "Wasteland," "Party of Five," "Murder One," "NYPD Blue," and "E.R."
Stage credits include roles in "Uncle Bob," a two-man show with Austin Pendleton in Los Angeles, New York and Edinburgh; Richard Greenberg's "Everett Beekin" for South Coast Repertory; "Romeo and Juliet" at the California Shakespeare Festival in Berkeley; "Dealer's Choice" and "Buffalo Hunters" for The Mark Taper Forum; "Beirut" for Gardner Stage; "Water and Wine" for the Met Theatre; and "Bloody Poetry" for the Globe Theatre.
Scott will soon be seen in August, a drama that centers on two brothers (Scott and Josh Hartnett) who continue to fight to keep their start-up company afloat on Wall Street during August 2001, a month before the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In addition, he recently completed production on two independent features; Lovely, Still, a holiday fable that tells the story of an elderly man discovering love for the first time, with Ellen Burstyn and Martin Landau, as well as The Vicious Kind, a dramedy about a man who becomes obsessed with the girlfriend his brother brings home for Thanksgiving.
Scott also stars in the critically acclaimed HBO series "Tell Me You Love Me" which features an ensemble cast and returns to HBO later this year.
Scott recently appeared in the blockbuster comedy Knocked Up, directed by Judd Apatow, as well as The Great Buck Howard, opposite John Malkovich. The previous year, Scott appeared in the dramatic thriller First Snow, directed by Marc Fergus and co-starring Guy Pearce; the dark comedy Corporate Affairs, alongside Breckin Meyer for director Dan Cohen; and the romantic comedy Who Loves The Sun, starring with Lukas Haas and Molly Parker for director Matthew Bissonette.
Prior to that, Scott appeared in Art School Confidential with John Malkovich and Anjelica Huston, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Terry Zwigoff, for Sony Pictures Classics. Additional feature film credits include The Return, The Matador, opposite Pierce Brosnan, Greg Kinnear, and Hope Davis, and New Line Cinema's romantic comedy, Monster-In-Law, directed by Robert Luketic and starring Jennifer Lopez and Jane Fonda. In addition, he portrayed Johnny Meyer, Howard Hughes' smarmy press agent, in Miramax's Oscar®-winning film The Aviator, alongside Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, John C. Reilly and Alec Baldwin for legendary director Martin Scorsese. Scott was previously seen in the Warner Bros. action feature Torque, Carl Franklin's High Crimes, the independent black comedy Two Days, Christopher Haifley's independent film Ronnie, Star Trek: First Contact and numerous independent films including Robert Mickelson's Off the Lip, Jonathan Kahn's Girl, Ted Melfi's Winding Roads, David McKay's The Lesser Evil, Lawrence Trilling's Dinner & Driving and Derek Simonds' Seven and a Match.
In a notable two-episode stint on HBO's acclaimed "Six Feet Under," Scott played the role of Ben Dooley, a public defender and boyfriend to Michael C. Hall's character, David Fisher. Additional television credits include "Law & Order," "Veronica Mars," Ken Cameron's "Payback," an ABC movie-of-the-week with Mary Tyler Moore and Ed Asner, "Wasteland," "Party of Five," "Murder One," "NYPD Blue," and "E.R."
Stage credits include roles in "Uncle Bob," a two-man show with Austin Pendleton in Los Angeles, New York and Edinburgh; Richard Greenberg's "Everett Beekin" for South Coast Repertory; "Romeo and Juliet" at the California Shakespeare Festival in Berkeley; "Dealer's Choice" and "Buffalo Hunters" for The Mark Taper Forum; "Beirut" for Gardner Stage; "Water and Wine" for the Met Theatre; and "Bloody Poetry" for the Globe Theatre.
MARY STEENBURGEN (Nancy Huff)
MARY STEENBURGEN (Nancy Huff) won an Academy Award® for her role in Melvin and Howard. She recently wrapped production on Open Roads, starring Jeff Bridges and Justin Timberlake. Steenburgen also recently finished her work on Four Christmases, starting Reese Witherspoon and Vince Vaughn. She was last seen in The Brave One, starring Jodie Foster and Terrence Howard and directed by Neil Jordan. In 2006, she shot Nobel Son, starring opposite Alan Rickman and Bill Pullman. She also starred for two seasons on the Emmy-nominated CBS series, "Joan of Arcadia."
In February 2006, Steenburgen starred in the David Mamet directed play "Boston Marriage" at The Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles. She was seen co-starring in the independent feature Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing and Charm School. In 2003, she was seen in the CBS television film "It Must Be Love," co-starring her husband, Ted Danson. Steenburgen also co-starred in New Line Cinema's Elf, alongside Will Ferrell and James Caan. She has appeared in two films for director John Sayles, Sunshine State and Casa De Los Babys.
In 2002, Steenburgen was seen starring with Danson in a CBS television miniseries entitled "Talking to Heaven." They had previously worked together in 1996 on the critically acclaimed NBC miniseries "Gulliver's Travels" and in the 1994 feature film Pontiac Moon. In 2001, Steenburgen appeared alongside Kevin Kline in Irwin Winkler's Life as a House, which had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. She has constantly redefined herself through challenging roles in films such as Philadelphia, Parenthood and What's Eating Gilbert Grape.
Steenburgen starred with Jon Voight and F. Murray Abraham in Robert Halmi's "Noah's Ark" for NBC and was also nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for her role in "About Sarah," a two-hour made-for-television movie for CBS in which she played a developmentally disabled adult.
Other films from Steenburgen's career include The Grass Harp, with Walter Matthau, Jack Lemmon, and Piper Laurie; Back to the Future III, Time After Time, A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy, Cross Creek, One Magic Christmas, Dead of Winter, and End of the Line, in which she also served as the film's executive producer.
Steenburgen's career on the stage includes starring roles in "The Beginning of August," "Holiday," George Bernard Shaw's production of "Candida" at New York's Roundabout Theater, and, most recently, "Marvin's Room" at the Tiffany Theater in Los Angeles.
In addition to her professional work, Steenburgen has devoted a great deal of time to causes close to her heart. In 1989, she and fellow actress Alfre Woodard founded Artists for a Free South Africa and in 1996, Steenburgen and Danson were presented with Liberty Hill Foundation's prestigious Upton Sinclair Award for their work in human rights and environmental causes.
Steenburgen is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas, the daughter of a railroad conductor and a public high school secretary. She began her career at the age of 19 in New York. She currently lives in Los Angeles, California with her husband. They are the parents of four children: Kate, Lilly, Charlie, and Kat.
In February 2006, Steenburgen starred in the David Mamet directed play "Boston Marriage" at The Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles. She was seen co-starring in the independent feature Marilyn Hotchkiss' Ballroom Dancing and Charm School. In 2003, she was seen in the CBS television film "It Must Be Love," co-starring her husband, Ted Danson. Steenburgen also co-starred in New Line Cinema's Elf, alongside Will Ferrell and James Caan. She has appeared in two films for director John Sayles, Sunshine State and Casa De Los Babys.
In 2002, Steenburgen was seen starring with Danson in a CBS television miniseries entitled "Talking to Heaven." They had previously worked together in 1996 on the critically acclaimed NBC miniseries "Gulliver's Travels" and in the 1994 feature film Pontiac Moon. In 2001, Steenburgen appeared alongside Kevin Kline in Irwin Winkler's Life as a House, which had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. She has constantly redefined herself through challenging roles in films such as Philadelphia, Parenthood and What's Eating Gilbert Grape.
Steenburgen starred with Jon Voight and F. Murray Abraham in Robert Halmi's "Noah's Ark" for NBC and was also nominated for a Screen Actors Guild Award for her role in "About Sarah," a two-hour made-for-television movie for CBS in which she played a developmentally disabled adult.
Other films from Steenburgen's career include The Grass Harp, with Walter Matthau, Jack Lemmon, and Piper Laurie; Back to the Future III, Time After Time, A Midsummer Night's Sex Comedy, Cross Creek, One Magic Christmas, Dead of Winter, and End of the Line, in which she also served as the film's executive producer.
Steenburgen's career on the stage includes starring roles in "The Beginning of August," "Holiday," George Bernard Shaw's production of "Candida" at New York's Roundabout Theater, and, most recently, "Marvin's Room" at the Tiffany Theater in Los Angeles.
In addition to her professional work, Steenburgen has devoted a great deal of time to causes close to her heart. In 1989, she and fellow actress Alfre Woodard founded Artists for a Free South Africa and in 1996, Steenburgen and Danson were presented with Liberty Hill Foundation's prestigious Upton Sinclair Award for their work in human rights and environmental causes.
Steenburgen is a native of Little Rock, Arkansas, the daughter of a railroad conductor and a public high school secretary. She began her career at the age of 19 in New York. She currently lives in Los Angeles, California with her husband. They are the parents of four children: Kate, Lilly, Charlie, and Kat.
RICHARD JENKINS (Robert Doback) Step Brothers
RICHARD JENKINS (Robert Doback) is one of the most in-demand character actors in Hollywood, having made over 50 feature films.
Jenkins can currently be seen as Walter Vale, a disillusioned Connecticut economics professor whose life is transformed by a chance encounter in New York City, in Thomas McCarthy's The Visitor. The film premiered to rave reviews at the 2007 Toronto Film Festival and the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. For his critically acclaimed performance, Richard was honored with the John Garfield Award for Best Actor at the 2008 Method Fest independent film festival, as well as with a Career Achievement Award.
In 1997, Jenkins received an Independent Spirit Award nomination as Best Supporting Male for his performance in David O. Russell's comedy Flirting with Disaster, appearing with Ben Stiller, Tea Leoni, Josh Brolin, and Lily Tomlin.
In 1986, Jenkins had his first starring film role in Oscar®-winning writer Horton Foote's On Valentine's Day. Numerous film roles followed, including George Miller's The Witches of Eastwick, opposite Jack Nicholson, Susan Sarandon, Cher and Michelle Pfeiffer; Richard Benjamin's Little Nikita, opposite River Phoenix and Sidney Poitier; Sea of Love, with Al Pacino and Ellen Barkin; Mike Nichols' Wolf, appearing again with Jack Nicholson; with Charlize Theron in 2005's North Country; opposite Jim Carrey and again with Tea Leoni in the comedy Fun with Dick and Jane, co-written by Judd Apatow; and in Peter Berg's 2007 film, The Kingdom.
Over the years, Jenkins has worked with such esteemed filmmakers as Clint Eastwood in Absolute Power; the Farrelly brothers in There's Something About Mary and Me, Myself & Irene, opposite Jim Carrey; and Sydney Pollack in Random Hearts, opposite Harrison Ford and Kristin Scott Thomas.
In 2001, Jenkins began a collaboration with Joel and Ethan Coen when he appeared with Billy Bob Thornton, James Gandolfini and Scarlett Johansson in The Man Who Wasn't There. He went on to work again with the Coen brothers in 2003's Intolerable Cruelty, opposite George Clooney and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
On television, Jenkins is best remembered as Nathaniel, the deceased patriarch of the Fisher family on HBO's immensely successful drama, "Six Feet Under." His occasional appearances as the heart of this often-dysfunctional family helped earn the cast a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination in 2002 for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. He also appeared in numerous made-for-television films, including "Sins of the Father" and the Emmy-winning HBO film, "And the Band Played On."
In theater, Richard has amassed an impressive list of credits as a company member for 14 years at Rhode Island's Trinity Repertory Company and served an additional four years as its Artistic Director.
Later this year, Jenkins will be seen in his third film with the Coens, Burn After Reading, which stars George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and John Malkovich. Focus Features plans to release the film in September 2008.
Jenkins can currently be seen as Walter Vale, a disillusioned Connecticut economics professor whose life is transformed by a chance encounter in New York City, in Thomas McCarthy's The Visitor. The film premiered to rave reviews at the 2007 Toronto Film Festival and the 2008 Sundance Film Festival. For his critically acclaimed performance, Richard was honored with the John Garfield Award for Best Actor at the 2008 Method Fest independent film festival, as well as with a Career Achievement Award.
In 1997, Jenkins received an Independent Spirit Award nomination as Best Supporting Male for his performance in David O. Russell's comedy Flirting with Disaster, appearing with Ben Stiller, Tea Leoni, Josh Brolin, and Lily Tomlin.
In 1986, Jenkins had his first starring film role in Oscar®-winning writer Horton Foote's On Valentine's Day. Numerous film roles followed, including George Miller's The Witches of Eastwick, opposite Jack Nicholson, Susan Sarandon, Cher and Michelle Pfeiffer; Richard Benjamin's Little Nikita, opposite River Phoenix and Sidney Poitier; Sea of Love, with Al Pacino and Ellen Barkin; Mike Nichols' Wolf, appearing again with Jack Nicholson; with Charlize Theron in 2005's North Country; opposite Jim Carrey and again with Tea Leoni in the comedy Fun with Dick and Jane, co-written by Judd Apatow; and in Peter Berg's 2007 film, The Kingdom.
Over the years, Jenkins has worked with such esteemed filmmakers as Clint Eastwood in Absolute Power; the Farrelly brothers in There's Something About Mary and Me, Myself & Irene, opposite Jim Carrey; and Sydney Pollack in Random Hearts, opposite Harrison Ford and Kristin Scott Thomas.
In 2001, Jenkins began a collaboration with Joel and Ethan Coen when he appeared with Billy Bob Thornton, James Gandolfini and Scarlett Johansson in The Man Who Wasn't There. He went on to work again with the Coen brothers in 2003's Intolerable Cruelty, opposite George Clooney and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
On television, Jenkins is best remembered as Nathaniel, the deceased patriarch of the Fisher family on HBO's immensely successful drama, "Six Feet Under." His occasional appearances as the heart of this often-dysfunctional family helped earn the cast a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination in 2002 for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. He also appeared in numerous made-for-television films, including "Sins of the Father" and the Emmy-winning HBO film, "And the Band Played On."
In theater, Richard has amassed an impressive list of credits as a company member for 14 years at Rhode Island's Trinity Repertory Company and served an additional four years as its Artistic Director.
Later this year, Jenkins will be seen in his third film with the Coens, Burn After Reading, which stars George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and John Malkovich. Focus Features plans to release the film in September 2008.
WILL FERRELL (Brennan Huff/Screenplay by/Story by/Executive Producer)
WILL FERRELL (Brennan Huff/Screenplay by/Story by/Executive Producer) has come a long way since his days on "Saturday Night Live," crossing over from television icon to motion picture star shortly after joining the "SNL" cast in 1995.
He most recently starred in Semi-Pro, the story of a 1970s-era ABA team trying to earn its way into the NBA, opposite Woody Harrelson and Andre Benjamin for director Kent Alterman. Prior to that, in 2007, he starred in the comedy hit Blades of Glory with Jon Heder. The film took in over $118 million at the box office.
In 2006, Ferrell demonstrated that his dramatic gifts equal his comedic talents, earning his second Golden Globe nomination (Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical) for his portrayal of IRS agent Harold Crick in Stranger than Fiction, starring opposite Emma Thompson, Dustin Hoffman, Queen Latifah and Maggie Gyllenhaal for director Marc Forster.
Earlier that year, Ferrell starred in the hit comedy Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, with co-stars John C. Reilly and Sacha Baron Cohen. Earning nearly $150 million at the U.S. box office, the film became the season's #1 comedy (non-animated) and set records on DVD.
In the summer of 2004, Ferrell starred in the comedy Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy for DreamWorks Pictures, which grossed over $85 million domestically. Ferrell co-wrote the script with "SNL" writer Adam McKay. Judd Apatow ("Freaks and Geeks") produced, with David O. Russell (Three Kings) executive producing. Ferrell portrayed Ron Burgundy, a 1970s anchorman with an inflated ego threatened by the arrival of an ambitious female newscaster who, unlike him, has mastered journalism.
Ferrell completed his seventh and final season on the legendary NBC late-night hit "Saturday Night Live" in 2002, having taken the nation by storm during "Indecision 2000" by impersonating George W. Bush on the show. Some of his most memorable "SNL" characters include Craig the Spartan Cheerleader, musical middle school teacher Marty Culp, and Tom Wilkins, the hyperactive co-host of "Morning Latte." Among his many impressions are Janet Reno, Alex Trebek, Neil Diamond, and the late, great Chicago Cubs sportscaster Harry Caray. His work on "SNL" earned two Emmy nominations in 2001 (Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program and Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Program).
Previous film credits include Zoolander, Elf, the Woody Allen feature Melinda and Melinda, the comedies Bewitched and Old School, and the screen adaptation of The Producers, which earned Ferrell his first Golden Globe nomination in 2006 for Best Supporting Actor. He recently wrapped production on his next feature film, Universal's Land of the Lost.
Raised in Irvine, California, Ferrell attended USC and graduated with a degree in sports information. Upon graduation, he worked as a sportscaster on a weekly show broadcast over a local cable channel. Soon after, he enrolled in acting classes and stand-up comedy workshops at a nearby community college and was eventually asked to join the esteemed comedy/improv group The Groundlings after just one year of training. It was at The Groundlings that Ferrell was discovered for "Saturday Night Live."
Nominated for an Academy Award® and a Golden Globe® for his work in the hit musical Chicago, JOHN C. REILLY (Dale Doback/Story by) has garnered a reputation as an actor with great range. He most recently starred in Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, for which he was honored with a Golden Globe® nomination; in addition, he received another nomination for co-writing the title song.
Born in Chicago and raised as the fifth of six children in an Irish-Lithuanian family, Reilly studied at the Goodman School of Drama. Later, he became a member of Chicago's renowned Steppenwolf Theatre.
Reilly's first film role came in a 1989 Brian De Palma motion picture, Casualties of War. That was followed by appearances in a wide array of films, including Days of Thunder, Shadows and Fog, We're No Angels, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Hoffa, Georgia, Dolores Claiborne, and The River Wild.
As a regular in director Paul Thomas Anderson's films, Reilly began attracting attention for his roles in Hard Eight, Boogie Nights, and Magnolia. He also starred in Terrence Malick's The Thin Red Line.
In 2002, Reilly scored well with audiences and critics with acclaimed performances in a number of high-profile films, including The Hours, The Good Girl, Gangs of New York, and Chicago.
His recent film credits include Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, A Prairie Home Companion, Dark Water, The Aviator, and Criminal. Other films include The Perfect Storm, For Love of the Game, and Never Been Kissed.
For the stage, Reilly starred on Broadway in "The Grapes of Wrath." He also starred in "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "Othello" at the Steppenwolf and earned an Outer Circle Critics Award and a Tony nomination for his role in "True West."
He most recently starred in Semi-Pro, the story of a 1970s-era ABA team trying to earn its way into the NBA, opposite Woody Harrelson and Andre Benjamin for director Kent Alterman. Prior to that, in 2007, he starred in the comedy hit Blades of Glory with Jon Heder. The film took in over $118 million at the box office.
In 2006, Ferrell demonstrated that his dramatic gifts equal his comedic talents, earning his second Golden Globe nomination (Best Actor in a Comedy or Musical) for his portrayal of IRS agent Harold Crick in Stranger than Fiction, starring opposite Emma Thompson, Dustin Hoffman, Queen Latifah and Maggie Gyllenhaal for director Marc Forster.
Earlier that year, Ferrell starred in the hit comedy Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, with co-stars John C. Reilly and Sacha Baron Cohen. Earning nearly $150 million at the U.S. box office, the film became the season's #1 comedy (non-animated) and set records on DVD.
In the summer of 2004, Ferrell starred in the comedy Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy for DreamWorks Pictures, which grossed over $85 million domestically. Ferrell co-wrote the script with "SNL" writer Adam McKay. Judd Apatow ("Freaks and Geeks") produced, with David O. Russell (Three Kings) executive producing. Ferrell portrayed Ron Burgundy, a 1970s anchorman with an inflated ego threatened by the arrival of an ambitious female newscaster who, unlike him, has mastered journalism.
Ferrell completed his seventh and final season on the legendary NBC late-night hit "Saturday Night Live" in 2002, having taken the nation by storm during "Indecision 2000" by impersonating George W. Bush on the show. Some of his most memorable "SNL" characters include Craig the Spartan Cheerleader, musical middle school teacher Marty Culp, and Tom Wilkins, the hyperactive co-host of "Morning Latte." Among his many impressions are Janet Reno, Alex Trebek, Neil Diamond, and the late, great Chicago Cubs sportscaster Harry Caray. His work on "SNL" earned two Emmy nominations in 2001 (Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program and Outstanding Writing for a Variety, Music, or Comedy Program).
Previous film credits include Zoolander, Elf, the Woody Allen feature Melinda and Melinda, the comedies Bewitched and Old School, and the screen adaptation of The Producers, which earned Ferrell his first Golden Globe nomination in 2006 for Best Supporting Actor. He recently wrapped production on his next feature film, Universal's Land of the Lost.
Raised in Irvine, California, Ferrell attended USC and graduated with a degree in sports information. Upon graduation, he worked as a sportscaster on a weekly show broadcast over a local cable channel. Soon after, he enrolled in acting classes and stand-up comedy workshops at a nearby community college and was eventually asked to join the esteemed comedy/improv group The Groundlings after just one year of training. It was at The Groundlings that Ferrell was discovered for "Saturday Night Live."
Nominated for an Academy Award® and a Golden Globe® for his work in the hit musical Chicago, JOHN C. REILLY (Dale Doback/Story by) has garnered a reputation as an actor with great range. He most recently starred in Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, for which he was honored with a Golden Globe® nomination; in addition, he received another nomination for co-writing the title song.
Born in Chicago and raised as the fifth of six children in an Irish-Lithuanian family, Reilly studied at the Goodman School of Drama. Later, he became a member of Chicago's renowned Steppenwolf Theatre.
Reilly's first film role came in a 1989 Brian De Palma motion picture, Casualties of War. That was followed by appearances in a wide array of films, including Days of Thunder, Shadows and Fog, We're No Angels, What's Eating Gilbert Grape, Hoffa, Georgia, Dolores Claiborne, and The River Wild.
As a regular in director Paul Thomas Anderson's films, Reilly began attracting attention for his roles in Hard Eight, Boogie Nights, and Magnolia. He also starred in Terrence Malick's The Thin Red Line.
In 2002, Reilly scored well with audiences and critics with acclaimed performances in a number of high-profile films, including The Hours, The Good Girl, Gangs of New York, and Chicago.
His recent film credits include Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, A Prairie Home Companion, Dark Water, The Aviator, and Criminal. Other films include The Perfect Storm, For Love of the Game, and Never Been Kissed.
For the stage, Reilly starred on Broadway in "The Grapes of Wrath." He also starred in "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "Othello" at the Steppenwolf and earned an Outer Circle Critics Award and a Tony nomination for his role in "True West."
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