Home Media Magazine - April 6-12, 2008 - (Page 30)

PIPELINE By Billy Gil INDIE To hear young filmmaker Brian Jun tell it, his success with bringing his first feature film to screen, Steel City (see review, page 26), is based a lot on luck. However, Jun’s modesty belies the hard work that went into Steel City, which is due on www.homemediamagazine.com Young Indie Filmmaker Builds Blue-Collar Drama in ‘Steel City’ DVD May 6 (prebook April 8) from Peace Arch Entertainment. Jun’s entree into professional filmmaking came when he was invited into Fox Searchlab’s young talent program after a screening of his short film For Jimmy Brown in 2001. According to Jun, participants in the program were given money to make a short film to show to a panel of executives, who would then select a winner to fund for a feature film. Unfortunately, Jun said, the program never really went through with its stated promise. After a slump, Jun said he decided he would write and direct a film that would take little money to make. “Once I made the decision I was going to make a film come hell or high water, people started latching on,” Jun said. “The script got more attention than I thought it ever would. From my experience, you have to create your own opportunity.” That kind of tough mentality is reflected in Jun’s script, about a young man (Tom Guiry) in a solemn Midwestern town who must grow up quickly and take care of himself after his father is incarcerated. Steel City attracted such talent as John Heard (who starred in Jun’s short film for Fox Searchlab, Researching Raymond Burke), Laurie Metcalf, Clayne Crawford, Raymond J. Barry and America Ferrera, who has shot to fame with “Ugly Betty” and films such as Real Women Have Curves and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. The film is filled with gray, meditative images of Jun’s native steelworking town of Alton, Ill., where the film was shot. Jun said he wanted the film to reflect any number of similar, blue-collar towns, although he culled from his own upbringing in Alton and nearby Collinsville, Ill., for the script. “I kind of drew upon my experience working at all these blue-collar jobs growing up,” he said. “That was a lifestyle I could’ve ended up in had I not explored the arts. I guess I was projecting myself as someone I could have been had I not moved away.” The DVD includes the short For Jimmy Brown as well as deleted scenes, a photo gallery and a commentary with Jun, Heard, Barry, Crawford and cinematographer Ryan Samul. Relive the drama and magic as Jordin and Blake battle it out as the Top 2 finalists. Then go behind the scenes and learn all the secrets behind successfully auditioning for American Idol®… and much, much more! DISC 1 See Jordin and Blake battle it out in the Top 2 finale performance show. Features a special performance by Chris Daughtry singing “Home,” and the finale results announcement. Also includes: • Bon Jovi’s “You Give Love A Bad Name” performed by Blake • Christina Aguilera’s “Fighter” performed by Jordin • Maroon 5’s “She Will Be Loved” performed by Blake • Martina McBride’s “A Broken Wing” performed by Jordin • “This Is My Now” performed by both Blake and Jordin (written by Jeff Peabody and Scott Krippayne, winners of the American Idol® Songwriters Competition) BRIEFS I LIGHTYEAR ANNOUNCES DVD SLATE OF INDIE FILMS Lightyear Entertainment, a New Yorkbased entertainment company, has slated 10 independent ﬁlms to be released by Warner Home Video from April to July. The releases are: April 1, The Return of Swamp Thing, starring Heather Locklear, at $14.97; April 22, Thieves and Liars, a Spanish-language thriller, at $19.97; April 29, Studio: Hip Hop Task Force Vol. II, an urban mystery, at $19.97; May 20, Killing Zelda Sparks, a sexy comedy/thriller, at $19.97; May 27, Suspension, is a sci-ﬁ thriller, at $19.97; June 10, Sidekick, a superhero comedy, at $19.97; July 1, Heaven, a mockumentary directed by Diane Keaton, at $14.97; also July 1, Aria, which features the work of 10 directors such as Robert Altman and Jean-Luc Godard, and stars Academy Award winner Tilda Swinton, at $14.97; July 8, Jekyll, a remake of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, at $19.97; and July 15, Guardians a sciﬁ actioner, at $19.97. All Lightyear titles at $19.97 also will be available in rental three- and six-packs. – Billy Gil DISC 2 • Just Jordin: an intimate look at the journey of the ultimate winner, Jordin Sparks • Being Blake: a backstage look at the beat-boxing, charismatic Blake Lewis • How to Audition for American Idol® Guide: get advice from the Top 12 finalists, judges and producers on how to make it to the top • Bloopers: never-before-scene flubs from Season 6 KOC-DV-6561 • UPC: 7-41952-65619-7 • ISBN: 1-4172-3080-0 • Price Code: MP ($19.99) 2 DVD Set • Total Running Time: 90 minutes • Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1 • Dolby Digital KEY SALES POINTS: Timed to release one week ahead of the highly anticipated current Season Finale which airs nationwide May 21st on FOX • The Season 6 Finale show established a World Record for receiving 74 Million votes • Multi-Million Dollar TV and Radio Direct Response Campaign • Viral internet promotional campaign targeting Idol fans nationwide • Continued nationwide Idol visibility throughout the summer with the American Idol® Tour and the American Idol® Auditions in major markets during the fall PRE-BOOK DATE: APRIL 15, 2008 STREET DATE: MAY 13, 2008 © 2008 FremantleMedia North America, Inc. and 19 TV Limited. American Idol® is a registered trademark of FremantleMedia North America, Inc. and 19 TV Limited. 30 http://www.homemediamagazine.com

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Contents News TV DVD Cine Mercado Reviews Pipeline Research Top 20 DVD Sellers Top 20 Rentals and Top 10 Charts Just Announced

Home Media Magazine - April 6-12, 2008

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