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8th May 2012
bwin.party and the United Auburn Indian Community (‘UAIC’), which owns and operates the Thunder Valley Casino Resort near Sacramento, California, have entered into a formal agreement to offer online poker services in California if suitable intrastate legislation is enacted in the state.
As a federally recognised California Indian tribe that already operates a casino resort within the state, UAIC would be a qualified license applicant under legislation proposed in the California State Senate and would secure and maintain the necessary licenses to operate online poker services in California. bwin.party would provide the technology and operations expertise to power the services plus related support. The Agreement would be for a 10-year period from the date that online poker services are launched.
Commenting on today’s announcement, Jim Ryan and Norbert Teufelberger, the Co-CEOs of bwin.party, said:
“California is the largest state in the U.S. in terms of population and is known to have a significant number of poker players who like to play poker online. Combining our own significant assets and resources with those of UAIC will create a strong partnership that is well-placed to seize the opportunities that will arise if appropriate online poker legislation is enacted in the Golden State.”
David Keyser, Tribal Chairman of UAIC commented:
“We see the legalisation of Internet poker and other Internet gaming as being inevitable. Having met with representatives from a number of different online gaming companies, bwin.party was our first choice as partner. With its unrivalled expertise in online poker, proven technology and player loyalty we are confident of being able to maximise the revenue opportunity from a regulated online poker market in California and to continue to enhance the long-term prosperity of our community.”
On 24 February 2012, Senators Wright and Steinberg introduced a further piece of draft legislation to regulate online gaming within California. The Internet Gambling Consumer Protection and Public-Private Partnership Act of 2012 (SB 1463) proposes, inter alia, to regulate license and tax internet poker within the state of California. The current proposed rate of tax is 10% of gross gaming revenue.
About bwin.party
bwin.party digital entertainment plc (LSE: BPTY) is the world’s largest listed online gaming company. The Company was formed from the merger of bwin Interactive Entertainment AG and PartyGaming Plc on 31 March 2011. Incorporated, licensed and regulated in Gibraltar, the Group also has licences in France, Italy and Denmark. With offices in Europe, India, Israel and the US, the Group generated total pro forma revenue of €816.0m and pro forma Clean EBITDA of €199.3m in 2011. bwin.party commands leading market positions in each of its four key product verticals: online sports betting, poker, casino and bingo with some of the world’s biggest online gaming brands including www.bwin.com, www.PartyPoker.com, www.PartyCasino.com and www.FoxyBingo.com. The Group’s scale, technology and strong portfolio of games collectively differentiate its customer offer from those of its competitors. bwin.party is a constituent member of the FTSE 250 Index and the FTSE4Good Index Series, which identifies companies that meet globally recognised corporate responsibility standards.
About UAIC
The re-establishment of the United Auburn Indian Tribe began in the early 1990s when the United States Department of Interior documented the existence of a separate, cohesive band of Maidu and Miwok Indians, occupying a village on the outskirts of the City of Auburn, California. A federally recognized Indian tribe, the United Auburn Indian Community is a sovereign government and owns nearby Thunder Valley Casino Resort.
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Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Monday, May 7, 2012
The Avengers breaks box office record, Scarlett Johansson interview, Paramount Pictures wins with Avengers
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Marvel superhero fans in Australia and around the world. We've got tons of news for you today. There's Avengers news, quotes, numbers and more...
The Avengers proved that five superheroes are better than one by bursting into Hollywood's record books with a massive $197 million in ticket sales over its opening weekend in US and Canadian theatres, kicking off Hollywood's summer movie season with a bang.
The film now easily holds the record for greatest box office takings on its first weekend of cinema release, speeding past last summer's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows - Part 2, which opened with $166 million, and Batman franchise film The Dark Knight, according to Box Office Mojo.
In March, The Hunger Games opened with $150 million, the fourth largest opening in box office history.
The Avengers, which reunites Marvel comic heroes Thor, Iron Man, Captain America, the Hulk and Black Widow, has collected $630 million since it opened in international markets on April 25.
"We keep thinking we have a sense of what this movie can do, or will do, and every time we get a report it does even better," said Dave Hollis, Disney's executive vice-president of distribution.
"This is very satisfying, to say the least."
Disney's aggressive marketing, which included promotions aimed at women that included sending stars to The View daytime talk show, resulted in women making up 40 per cent of the audience for the action film, according to Disney's survey. Half the audience was also over 25 years of age, the studio said.
Winner of the past two weekends, Sony's romantic comedy Think Like a Man, slipped to second place with $7.8 million at North American theatres, according to Hollywood.com.
Hunger Games, from Lions Gate Entertainment, took the No 3 spot in its seventh week in theatres, with $5.6 million, and has collected $374 million in US and Canadian theatres during its run.
Warner Brothers' The Lucky One landed in fourth place with $5.4 million, and the animated film The Pirates! Band of Misfits from Sony finished in fifth place with $5.3 million.
The undisputed success of Avengers brought Disney the type of redemption that Hollywood loves to put on screen. In March, Disney released the expensive sci-fi adventure film John Carter, one of the biggest flops in box office history. The company said it expects to lose up to $196 million on that film.
Avengers is the first Marvel film released by Disney since the media and theme park giant purchased Marvel Entertainment in 2009 for $3.9 billion, a move to expand its appeal to boys with a stable of superheroes.
Disney would not say whether it plans to make a sequel. Sequels to films based on the Thor and Iron Man characters are scheduled for next year and Captain America in 2014.
About 52 per cent of The Avengers ticket sales came from higher-priced 3D tickets, Disney said.
The first weekend in May kicks off Hollywood's summer movie-going season, a four-month period typically filled with big-budget action movies and sequels. Coming movies include Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises, The Amazing Spider-Man, Men in Black 3, and Battleship. (Reuters)
Scarlett Johansson: comic book movie superhero...
Scarlett Johansson first enrolled in the Marvel comic book superhero universe when she was introduced as the mysterious Black Widow opposite Robert Downey Jr. in the 2010 blockbuster Iron Man 2.
The action-filled movie role marked a massive change of direction for the actress, who's known more for low-key performances in films like Sofia Coppola's drama Lost in Translation or Woody Allen's sly comedy Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
But Johansson is in fighting form to reprise her role as S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow, in Marvel Studios' The Avengers. With her bright red hair and sexy latex suit, the Black Widow teams up with Iron Man, The Hulk, Captain America, Hawkeye and Thor to stop the evil Loki from conquering Earth with his army.
Johansson sat down with media to talk about the film, the fighting style she learned for her role and what it was like to master her character's native Russian language.
Black Widow was introduced in Iron Man 2 but gets far more exposure in The Avengers. How did you expand the character?
At the end of Iron Man 2, we know she's a part of S.H.I.E.L.D., but we don't know what S.H.I.E.L.D. is. In this film, (director) Joss Whedon and I talked about her past. Who is she? How does she get to be a mercenary? What path do you follow in order to get to that place? We both wanted to see the darker side of her - not just that she's someone who is highly skilled, but why did she have to learn those skills?
You're in top form physically on screen. What new fighting skills did you learn?
We incorporated this Wushu style (of fighting) when the Widow wields a huge alien gun. That was new and really challenging. I had to learn how to spin it and move it. It was hard because I'd hit myself with it all the time. And it's heavy.
You learn (by using) a broom handle so you're like, 'Ah, I got it down, I've mastered it.' Then all of a sudden they're like, 'Here's the prop' and you're like, 'What? This thing is 20 pounds!' I was so terribly battered. I'd wake up every day in agony but it was a continuous thing, so it became normal (laughs).
Black Widow also speaks in her native Russian language, which you seemed to nail. Was it difficult to learn?
I had two days, so I had to learn it phonetically. I knew what I was saying but I had to be able to pronounce it and breathe some life into the lines so that it didn't sound like I was repeating some Berlitz tape.
We hired this great Russian translator, and she worked with the dialogue coach. She was really expressive, which helped, so my mouth found the words in a way that didn't just sound like I was a parrot.
You often play with hair color in your movie roles. Did you enjoy being a redhead for the duration of the shoot?
It's nice because it allows me to go a bit under the radar - people don't expect me to have that color of hair. I'm always happy when I do it because it's the first step of the process of finding the character again.
To me more than anything, the hair color represents a huge piece of work that we dive head first into. And I'm really happy when I can wash it out because then I'm like, 'Yes, It's finished, we actually did it!' Out it goes and you know you've accomplished something.
You're the only female Avenger in the cast. Did your male co-stars treat you any differently because of that?
If anything, the guys weren't as delicate with me as I thought they would be. They like to play hard and always dragged me along for the ride. I'd always come back with battle wounds. But they're a great group of guys. All of us got on so well.
Who did you spend most of your time with on location in New Mexico?
Jeremy (Renner, Hawkeye) because (we share scenes) together a lot. We fight together, so we had to do a lot of our stunt training together. We had the same battle wounds! Tom (Hiddleston, Loki), Jeremy and I spent a lot of time in the stunt gym because we fight so much hand to hand, so we ended up hanging out together. But we all equally had a closeness.
What was the dynamic like with all of you?
We're all fans of each other's work. Some of us have worked together in the past. Chris Evans and I have made three movies together. Sam Jackson and I made three movies together. Mark Ruffalo I've known for quite some time. Every time Robert (Downey Jr.) was on set, it was like, so alive.
We're just lucky that there was no diva on set. It was everybody trying to support one another. It was really nice to have that.
The Avengers is screening now (to packed and very enthusiastic audiences).
Disney's "The Avengers" a winner for Paramount Pictures also: source...
Walt Disney's blockbuster "The Avengers" has five superheroes and record ticket sales. It also has a silent partner in Viacom's Paramount Pictures, which is in line to to get a massive payday even though the studio didn't spend a cent to produce or market the film.
Paramount Pictures already snatched $57.5 million in April, when the film was released internationally. And it stands to collect 8 percent of the millions that the film will earn in theaters, on DVD, and when it is watched on the Internet, according to two people with knowledge of the business deal.
Under a 2005 distribution agreement between Paramount Pictures and Marvel, Paramount receives a distribution fee for the theatrical distribution of "The Avengers" as well as its distribution of its home video, Internet and TV rights. That agreement transferred to Disney, when Disney acquired Marvel for a cool $4 billion in 2009.
Disney and Paramount agreed in 2010 to amend that agreement, giving Disney the rights to distribute Marvel-produced "The Avengers" and "Iron Man 3," the second sequel to the 2008 film that Paramount distributes. That agreement stipulated that Disney would pay Paramount a $115 million advance against future fees that Paramount would have earned.
Half of that fee was paid when Disney released "The Avengers" in international markets.
Spokesmen for Disney and Paramount declined to comment on the matter.
Paramount does not have rights to merchandise from the Marvel movies, and Iger told investors after the deal closed that he signed the getting the movie rights allows he to rev up Disney's marketing machine.
"Not only will we distribute it and market it, but we know that Marvel is working really hard with the cooperation of a number of entities at Disney to turn The Avengers into a true franchise," he said on the earnings call.
Studios and theater owners generally split ticket sales 50-50, meaning that Disney has collected $320.9 million based on "The Avengers" $641.8 million in worldwide ticket sales. Paramount's $25.7 million take would be applied against the pre-paid fee from Disney.
The two parties also agreed that "The Avengers" would appear on the Epix online and premium TV service that Paramount owns with Lions Gate Entertainment and the famous MGM studio. That's a big boost for the nearly three-year-old channel. Disney is legally obligated to show most of its movies on the Starz pay channel.
What size Paramount's take will be depends on how big a hit "The Avengers" becomes. The deal gets even sweeter for Paramount Pictures in 2013, when Disney is scheduled to release the third Iron Man. Paramount will get 9 percent of the money that film will generate.
It's going to be tough to match the hulking numbers of 'The Avengers', but the studios and business partners in on the action should be looking at plenty more green stuff generated from the ultra successful and cool Marvel franchise. Movies, games, fashion...what's next? Stay tuned true believers.
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Movies Hollywood Marvel Entertainment Marvel Studios Marvel Comics Disney Paramount Pictures The Avengers Entertainment Marvel Games
Marvel superhero fans in Australia and around the world. We've got tons of news for you today. There's Avengers news, quotes, numbers and more...
The Avengers proved that five superheroes are better than one by bursting into Hollywood's record books with a massive $197 million in ticket sales over its opening weekend in US and Canadian theatres, kicking off Hollywood's summer movie season with a bang.
The film now easily holds the record for greatest box office takings on its first weekend of cinema release, speeding past last summer's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows - Part 2, which opened with $166 million, and Batman franchise film The Dark Knight, according to Box Office Mojo.
In March, The Hunger Games opened with $150 million, the fourth largest opening in box office history.
The Avengers, which reunites Marvel comic heroes Thor, Iron Man, Captain America, the Hulk and Black Widow, has collected $630 million since it opened in international markets on April 25.
"We keep thinking we have a sense of what this movie can do, or will do, and every time we get a report it does even better," said Dave Hollis, Disney's executive vice-president of distribution.
"This is very satisfying, to say the least."
Disney's aggressive marketing, which included promotions aimed at women that included sending stars to The View daytime talk show, resulted in women making up 40 per cent of the audience for the action film, according to Disney's survey. Half the audience was also over 25 years of age, the studio said.
Winner of the past two weekends, Sony's romantic comedy Think Like a Man, slipped to second place with $7.8 million at North American theatres, according to Hollywood.com.
Hunger Games, from Lions Gate Entertainment, took the No 3 spot in its seventh week in theatres, with $5.6 million, and has collected $374 million in US and Canadian theatres during its run.
Warner Brothers' The Lucky One landed in fourth place with $5.4 million, and the animated film The Pirates! Band of Misfits from Sony finished in fifth place with $5.3 million.
The undisputed success of Avengers brought Disney the type of redemption that Hollywood loves to put on screen. In March, Disney released the expensive sci-fi adventure film John Carter, one of the biggest flops in box office history. The company said it expects to lose up to $196 million on that film.
Avengers is the first Marvel film released by Disney since the media and theme park giant purchased Marvel Entertainment in 2009 for $3.9 billion, a move to expand its appeal to boys with a stable of superheroes.
Disney would not say whether it plans to make a sequel. Sequels to films based on the Thor and Iron Man characters are scheduled for next year and Captain America in 2014.
About 52 per cent of The Avengers ticket sales came from higher-priced 3D tickets, Disney said.
The first weekend in May kicks off Hollywood's summer movie-going season, a four-month period typically filled with big-budget action movies and sequels. Coming movies include Batman movie The Dark Knight Rises, The Amazing Spider-Man, Men in Black 3, and Battleship. (Reuters)
Scarlett Johansson: comic book movie superhero...
Scarlett Johansson first enrolled in the Marvel comic book superhero universe when she was introduced as the mysterious Black Widow opposite Robert Downey Jr. in the 2010 blockbuster Iron Man 2.
The action-filled movie role marked a massive change of direction for the actress, who's known more for low-key performances in films like Sofia Coppola's drama Lost in Translation or Woody Allen's sly comedy Vicky Cristina Barcelona.
But Johansson is in fighting form to reprise her role as S.H.I.E.L.D. agent Natasha Romanoff, aka Black Widow, in Marvel Studios' The Avengers. With her bright red hair and sexy latex suit, the Black Widow teams up with Iron Man, The Hulk, Captain America, Hawkeye and Thor to stop the evil Loki from conquering Earth with his army.
Johansson sat down with media to talk about the film, the fighting style she learned for her role and what it was like to master her character's native Russian language.
Black Widow was introduced in Iron Man 2 but gets far more exposure in The Avengers. How did you expand the character?
At the end of Iron Man 2, we know she's a part of S.H.I.E.L.D., but we don't know what S.H.I.E.L.D. is. In this film, (director) Joss Whedon and I talked about her past. Who is she? How does she get to be a mercenary? What path do you follow in order to get to that place? We both wanted to see the darker side of her - not just that she's someone who is highly skilled, but why did she have to learn those skills?
You're in top form physically on screen. What new fighting skills did you learn?
We incorporated this Wushu style (of fighting) when the Widow wields a huge alien gun. That was new and really challenging. I had to learn how to spin it and move it. It was hard because I'd hit myself with it all the time. And it's heavy.
You learn (by using) a broom handle so you're like, 'Ah, I got it down, I've mastered it.' Then all of a sudden they're like, 'Here's the prop' and you're like, 'What? This thing is 20 pounds!' I was so terribly battered. I'd wake up every day in agony but it was a continuous thing, so it became normal (laughs).
Black Widow also speaks in her native Russian language, which you seemed to nail. Was it difficult to learn?
I had two days, so I had to learn it phonetically. I knew what I was saying but I had to be able to pronounce it and breathe some life into the lines so that it didn't sound like I was repeating some Berlitz tape.
We hired this great Russian translator, and she worked with the dialogue coach. She was really expressive, which helped, so my mouth found the words in a way that didn't just sound like I was a parrot.
You often play with hair color in your movie roles. Did you enjoy being a redhead for the duration of the shoot?
It's nice because it allows me to go a bit under the radar - people don't expect me to have that color of hair. I'm always happy when I do it because it's the first step of the process of finding the character again.
To me more than anything, the hair color represents a huge piece of work that we dive head first into. And I'm really happy when I can wash it out because then I'm like, 'Yes, It's finished, we actually did it!' Out it goes and you know you've accomplished something.
You're the only female Avenger in the cast. Did your male co-stars treat you any differently because of that?
If anything, the guys weren't as delicate with me as I thought they would be. They like to play hard and always dragged me along for the ride. I'd always come back with battle wounds. But they're a great group of guys. All of us got on so well.
Who did you spend most of your time with on location in New Mexico?
Jeremy (Renner, Hawkeye) because (we share scenes) together a lot. We fight together, so we had to do a lot of our stunt training together. We had the same battle wounds! Tom (Hiddleston, Loki), Jeremy and I spent a lot of time in the stunt gym because we fight so much hand to hand, so we ended up hanging out together. But we all equally had a closeness.
What was the dynamic like with all of you?
We're all fans of each other's work. Some of us have worked together in the past. Chris Evans and I have made three movies together. Sam Jackson and I made three movies together. Mark Ruffalo I've known for quite some time. Every time Robert (Downey Jr.) was on set, it was like, so alive.
We're just lucky that there was no diva on set. It was everybody trying to support one another. It was really nice to have that.
The Avengers is screening now (to packed and very enthusiastic audiences).
Disney's "The Avengers" a winner for Paramount Pictures also: source...
Walt Disney's blockbuster "The Avengers" has five superheroes and record ticket sales. It also has a silent partner in Viacom's Paramount Pictures, which is in line to to get a massive payday even though the studio didn't spend a cent to produce or market the film.
Paramount Pictures already snatched $57.5 million in April, when the film was released internationally. And it stands to collect 8 percent of the millions that the film will earn in theaters, on DVD, and when it is watched on the Internet, according to two people with knowledge of the business deal.
Under a 2005 distribution agreement between Paramount Pictures and Marvel, Paramount receives a distribution fee for the theatrical distribution of "The Avengers" as well as its distribution of its home video, Internet and TV rights. That agreement transferred to Disney, when Disney acquired Marvel for a cool $4 billion in 2009.
Disney and Paramount agreed in 2010 to amend that agreement, giving Disney the rights to distribute Marvel-produced "The Avengers" and "Iron Man 3," the second sequel to the 2008 film that Paramount distributes. That agreement stipulated that Disney would pay Paramount a $115 million advance against future fees that Paramount would have earned.
Half of that fee was paid when Disney released "The Avengers" in international markets.
Spokesmen for Disney and Paramount declined to comment on the matter.
Paramount does not have rights to merchandise from the Marvel movies, and Iger told investors after the deal closed that he signed the getting the movie rights allows he to rev up Disney's marketing machine.
"Not only will we distribute it and market it, but we know that Marvel is working really hard with the cooperation of a number of entities at Disney to turn The Avengers into a true franchise," he said on the earnings call.
Studios and theater owners generally split ticket sales 50-50, meaning that Disney has collected $320.9 million based on "The Avengers" $641.8 million in worldwide ticket sales. Paramount's $25.7 million take would be applied against the pre-paid fee from Disney.
The two parties also agreed that "The Avengers" would appear on the Epix online and premium TV service that Paramount owns with Lions Gate Entertainment and the famous MGM studio. That's a big boost for the nearly three-year-old channel. Disney is legally obligated to show most of its movies on the Starz pay channel.
What size Paramount's take will be depends on how big a hit "The Avengers" becomes. The deal gets even sweeter for Paramount Pictures in 2013, when Disney is scheduled to release the third Iron Man. Paramount will get 9 percent of the money that film will generate.
It's going to be tough to match the hulking numbers of 'The Avengers', but the studios and business partners in on the action should be looking at plenty more green stuff generated from the ultra successful and cool Marvel franchise. Movies, games, fashion...what's next? Stay tuned true believers.
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Sunday, May 6, 2012
Media Man Profile Of The Month: Future Trends Group
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Intro by Greg Tingle
Knowing current (and future) business trends is paramount in today's business world, and this applies to just about any business sector you can imagine - media, gaming, finance, entertainment, transport, creative arts - you name it.
A few years ago some may have laughed of titles and occupations such as "Business Futurist", but this is clearly no longer the case.
In our responsibility to past and future clients, Media Man will be once again attending some Future Trends Group face to face meetings which are chaired by Australia's leading business futurist, Craig Rispin.
We are fully expecting positive business results in our media, internet and creative arts businesses, and look forward to keeping our loyal followers posted on the developments.
Business Futurist - Futurology (definition)
Futures Studies, Foresight, or Futurology is the science, art and practice of postulating possible, probable, and preferable futures and the worldviews and myths that underlie them. Futures studies (colloquially called "Futures" by many of the field's practitioners) seeks to understand what is likely to continue, what is likely to change, and what is novel. Part of the discipline thus seeks a systematic and pattern-based understanding of past and present, and to determine the likelihood of future events and trends. (Credit: Wikipedia).
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Future Trends Group Craig Rispin Business Futurist Media Man
Intro by Greg Tingle
Knowing current (and future) business trends is paramount in today's business world, and this applies to just about any business sector you can imagine - media, gaming, finance, entertainment, transport, creative arts - you name it.
A few years ago some may have laughed of titles and occupations such as "Business Futurist", but this is clearly no longer the case.
In our responsibility to past and future clients, Media Man will be once again attending some Future Trends Group face to face meetings which are chaired by Australia's leading business futurist, Craig Rispin.
We are fully expecting positive business results in our media, internet and creative arts businesses, and look forward to keeping our loyal followers posted on the developments.
Business Futurist - Futurology (definition)
Futures Studies, Foresight, or Futurology is the science, art and practice of postulating possible, probable, and preferable futures and the worldviews and myths that underlie them. Futures studies (colloquially called "Futures" by many of the field's practitioners) seeks to understand what is likely to continue, what is likely to change, and what is novel. Part of the discipline thus seeks a systematic and pattern-based understanding of past and present, and to determine the likelihood of future events and trends. (Credit: Wikipedia).
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Human Statue Bodyart
Wrestling with face paint, bodyart and human statues; Ultimate Warrior, Sting, Jeff Hardy, Lord Tensai and more, by Greg Tingle (Pro wrestling is a form of entertainment and performance art, not actual fighting) - Sports Entertainment
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Wrestling With Facepaint
Pro wrestling is a form of entertainment and performance art; Not actual fighting - like Hollywood movie stunt action...
Pro wrestling is different things to different people, but it's widely accepted as one of the most popular forms of entertainment - especially for men and kids.
Every week millions of fans tune into television to watch promotions like the famous WWE and Impact Wrestling.
Pro wrasling may be as American as apple pie, but Australia is one of the world's biggest non U.S fan bases, and we back it up with impressive PPV buy rates via Foxtel as well as weekly top 10 number crunching for programs such as RAW and SmackDown!
There are many elements that make the pseudo sport exciting. The spectacular moves, the amazing bodies, the ring entrances, the storylines, the costumes and face paint. Say what - face paint! Yes, even most casual fans would have heard of the man they call Sting (currently with Impact Wrestling, but featured on the WWE website), Jeff Hardy, The Ultimate Warrior, and let's also include the recently renamed WWE super heel - villain, Lord Tensai (tattoos and bodyart galore). It also appears that current WWE champion Sheamus aka 'The Great White', uses a little white paint or some other substance on his chest area (you need to look closely, but check out the WrestleMania 28 footage and judge for yourself).
We think that Australian pro wrestlers might soon more readily adopt face painting as another way to help stand out from the pack.
Famous Pro Wrestling Stars With Face Paint...
Sting
The Man Called Sting. Icon or not, he has an impressive pro wrestling body of work and knows how to work the crowd.
He has the 'It Factor' and is almost as famous for his face paint, as he is his matches with fellow legend Ric Flair.
His red version of the paint during his time in the NWO Wolfpac was something to behold.
He even had previous face paint along the lines of Ultimate Warrior styling when he still had blond hair and more recently at Impact Wrestling with Joker type face paint. No wonder WWE seem to be making a play to sign Sting, or at least to have him officially inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
The different changes have lent him to using his face paint as both intimidation and character enhancement.
Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal)
Considered by many as one of the greatest tag teams of all time, if not the greatest, The Road Warriors both had simple but awesome face paint.
Hawk and Animal had their Mad Max-inspired gimmick down to a science, spiked shoulder pads and all.
This face paint seems to be a combination of character inspiration and intimidation.
RIP Hawk. Ah, what a rush!
Jeff Hardy
Jeff Hardy aka 'The Charismatic Inigima' might just be the king of the face paint in professional wrestling.
His use of face paint is pure character enhancement, but nobody has ever done it better.
He changes it frequently, and usually it comes up looking amazing. Most hardcore fans will tell you that Hardy's face paint has been better and more creative in Impact Wrestling than in the WWE. Maybe Hardy has more control in his current promotion, which is also a scary thing. Great paint, and well done on cleaning up your act Jeff, if we should believe the press.
The Ultimate Warrior
The Ultimate Warrior had some of the coolest face paint of all time.
Some have noted a dash of Batman themes in the mix.
Add the paint to the interviews, chiseled body and unique and crazy ring style, and this guy was one of a kind wacko (and successful). Will Triple H bring back the Warrior? Stranger things have happened, and Triple H has hinted via the WWE website and leaked elsewhere that he would be interested in getting a 1-2-3 over Warrior, so stay tuned.
Demolition
I can remember it like yesterday "I'm Axe and "I'm Smash" and we're going to kick your stinking teeth in". The them went something like "Here comes the Ax and here comes the Smasher. The Demolition is coming to get ya". Red, black and silver have never looked so good (or scary).
Like The Road Warriors, Demolition also employed a Mad Max-inspired theme in their gimmick.
Demolition seemed to use their paint as intimidation and character enhancement.
The KISS Demon
The KISS Demon was created with a licensing agreement with KISS the band. Supposedly the beginning of a stable that was to include wrestlers modelled after each of the KISS band members. Only The Demon came to pass, and it didn't last. Another WCW idea that went south. I would have trusted my marketing and promotion with KISS top brass Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley more than with the then WCW marketing department. How about you KISS Army fans?
The Powers of Pain (The Warlord and The Barbarian)
The Powers of Pain was a team that consisted of the Warlord and The Barbarian. Managed by Mr. Fuji, who for a few years was one of best managers in my estimation. Their face paint was fairly generic but nevertheless intimidating.
After the team split up, they both stepped away from using facepaint and each gained a new manager—Warlord being paired up with Slick and Barbarian joining Bobby Heenan.
The Missing Link
The Missing Link was a character not so unlike to that of George 'The Animal' Steele and Madog Vachon - a crazy man that needed a handler to bring him to the ring and keep him under control.
He would repeatedly smash his own head into turnbuckles during matches and use his head as a weapon (but in reality his forearm appeared to take most of the blow). Kayfabe!
His face paint seemed to be geared more towards furthering his character.
'Dewey' Robertson passed away in August 2007. RIP.
Yoshi Tatsu
Yoshi wrestled in WWE for some time before debuting the above look.
During a feud with Tyson Kidd, where he was written off of television for a few weeks, Yoshi debuted this look when he returned citing it as a tribute to The Great Muta and his Japanese heritage. You have to long his ring entrance music and video, but his win - loss record is not on par with the rest of his act. Maybe he would have had more impact 10 years ago. Sadly we will never know. Tipped to enter a feud with Lord Tensai at some point, judging by Twitter, or might soon end up being shown the door, thanks to new WWE talent coming in. We like your work Yoshi and hope things pick up for you whatever happens.
Kamala The Ugandan Giant
The Ugandan Giant wrestled mainly in the 80's and 90's and his gimmick was that of a head hunter. Slap that huge belly. Recently told some dirt sheets that he wasn't happy with his paydays and guys like Hogan were making millions. Kamala, you were never Hogan (but we get your point).
Vampiro
Was a very good wrestler, especially by old WCW standards.
He has mainly competed in smaller organizations and wrestled in WCW for awhile. Face paint was simple, but effective.
Bull Nakano
Competed in Japan for most of her career. Many fans from North America know Nakano from feuding with Alundra Blayze / Madusa in WWE and WCW.
Her face paint is fairly understated most of the time save for the crack like streaks down her face.
Nakano is understood to have given professional golfing a swing!
Papa Shango
The man that would go on to become Kama and The Godfather. A good gimmick (geared to kids).
His voodoo gimmick of causing wrestlers to vomit and ooze oily looking stuff out of their heads was only enhanced by his skull inspired face paint.
The Great Kabuki
The man credited with being the first to blow 'Asian Mist' into his opponent's face has pretty cool face paint. Almost looks like he was on the receiving end of the Asian Mist himself.
He held a series of retirement matches in 1998 and was always a very solid worker.
The Great Muta
The Great Muta has had many different styles of face paint throughout the years.
Mostly known in North America for his stints in WCW and short time in WWE, Muta has always been a top wrestler wherever he has competed.
Changed over to wearing a mask since shaving his head. Check out Muta VS Hogan which took place in Japan about 15 years ago. Classic.
Hakushi
The whole gimmick of Hakushi 'tatooing' his face and body with Kanji characters was very cool. Very good worker.
Goldust
Dustin Rhodes eccentric character has one of the coolest paint jobs ever. You have to love the Hollywood theme and intro, and how about the trademark promo "You will always remember the name... GOLDUST".
Umaga
The Samoan Bulldozer was awesome. Umaga's face paint appeared to be an extension of his tribal tattoo art that he had across the rest of his body.
Umaga used his face paint to enhance his character and as a source of intimidation to his opponents with it resembling war paint of certain tribes.
Sadly, Eddie Fatu passed away in 2009. RIP.
Damien 666
While the colours and styles of Damien 666's paint changed throughout the years, the number 666 has always emblazoned his forehead.
Wrestling for most of his career in Mexico, Damien uses his paint as a character enhancer as well as for intimidation purposes.
The Bogeyman
If any gimmick was perfect to have face paint associated with it, the Boogeyman is it. He made a few alterations to it throughout his WWE career, but all consisted of a blood red backdrop on to which he superimposed other weird things.
His apparent eating of worms added additional intimidation factor to the whole gimmick.
Others
Lord Tensai, a major heel (villain) in the WWE has heavy face and body tattoos and body piercings, most if not all of which are legit. A former name he wrestled under was 'Prince Albert' (look it up and draw your own conclusions). A tough and legit SOB with loads of talent. Give the hardcore fans more time and they should come around and back him up more in current WWE storylines.
So wrestling and face paint fans. There you have it.
Got a wrestling match or fancy dress party coming up? Why not contact face painting and costume specialists, Human Statue Bodyart, for more details about how you can bring your pro wrestler to life. Masks and other costumes and accessories are also available.
Thank you to the extremely talented pro wrestlers who keep entertaining the fans each week, and Sting, Jeff Hardy and friends... please keep wowing us with your artistic creations.
That's it for the wrestling and face painting unmasked news today, but stay turned for developments as the countdown towards AWF 'Australia VS The World' and WWE 'Over The Limit' continues.
Pro wrestling is different things to different people, but it's widely accepted as one of the most popular forms of entertainment - especially for men and kids.
Every week millions of fans tune into television to watch promotions like the famous WWE and Impact Wrestling.
Pro wrasling may be as American as apple pie, but Australia is one of the world's biggest non U.S fan bases, and we back it up with impressive PPV buy rates via Foxtel as well as weekly top 10 number crunching for programs such as RAW and SmackDown!
There are many elements that make the pseudo sport exciting. The spectacular moves, the amazing bodies, the ring entrances, the storylines, the costumes and face paint. Say what - face paint! Yes, even most casual fans would have heard of the man they call Sting (currently with Impact Wrestling, but featured on the WWE website), Jeff Hardy, The Ultimate Warrior, and let's also include the recently renamed WWE super heel - villain, Lord Tensai (tattoos and bodyart galore). It also appears that current WWE champion Sheamus aka 'The Great White', uses a little white paint or some other substance on his chest area (you need to look closely, but check out the WrestleMania 28 footage and judge for yourself).
We think that Australian pro wrestlers might soon more readily adopt face painting as another way to help stand out from the pack.
Famous Pro Wrestling Stars With Face Paint...
Sting
The Man Called Sting. Icon or not, he has an impressive pro wrestling body of work and knows how to work the crowd.
He has the 'It Factor' and is almost as famous for his face paint, as he is his matches with fellow legend Ric Flair.
His red version of the paint during his time in the NWO Wolfpac was something to behold.
He even had previous face paint along the lines of Ultimate Warrior styling when he still had blond hair and more recently at Impact Wrestling with Joker type face paint. No wonder WWE seem to be making a play to sign Sting, or at least to have him officially inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
The different changes have lent him to using his face paint as both intimidation and character enhancement.
Road Warriors (Hawk and Animal)
Considered by many as one of the greatest tag teams of all time, if not the greatest, The Road Warriors both had simple but awesome face paint.
Hawk and Animal had their Mad Max-inspired gimmick down to a science, spiked shoulder pads and all.
This face paint seems to be a combination of character inspiration and intimidation.
RIP Hawk. Ah, what a rush!
Jeff Hardy
Jeff Hardy aka 'The Charismatic Inigima' might just be the king of the face paint in professional wrestling.
His use of face paint is pure character enhancement, but nobody has ever done it better.
He changes it frequently, and usually it comes up looking amazing. Most hardcore fans will tell you that Hardy's face paint has been better and more creative in Impact Wrestling than in the WWE. Maybe Hardy has more control in his current promotion, which is also a scary thing. Great paint, and well done on cleaning up your act Jeff, if we should believe the press.
The Ultimate Warrior
The Ultimate Warrior had some of the coolest face paint of all time.
Some have noted a dash of Batman themes in the mix.
Add the paint to the interviews, chiseled body and unique and crazy ring style, and this guy was one of a kind wacko (and successful). Will Triple H bring back the Warrior? Stranger things have happened, and Triple H has hinted via the WWE website and leaked elsewhere that he would be interested in getting a 1-2-3 over Warrior, so stay tuned.
Demolition
I can remember it like yesterday "I'm Axe and "I'm Smash" and we're going to kick your stinking teeth in". The them went something like "Here comes the Ax and here comes the Smasher. The Demolition is coming to get ya". Red, black and silver have never looked so good (or scary).
Like The Road Warriors, Demolition also employed a Mad Max-inspired theme in their gimmick.
Demolition seemed to use their paint as intimidation and character enhancement.
The KISS Demon
The KISS Demon was created with a licensing agreement with KISS the band. Supposedly the beginning of a stable that was to include wrestlers modelled after each of the KISS band members. Only The Demon came to pass, and it didn't last. Another WCW idea that went south. I would have trusted my marketing and promotion with KISS top brass Gene Simmons and Paul Stanley more than with the then WCW marketing department. How about you KISS Army fans?
The Powers of Pain (The Warlord and The Barbarian)
The Powers of Pain was a team that consisted of the Warlord and The Barbarian. Managed by Mr. Fuji, who for a few years was one of best managers in my estimation. Their face paint was fairly generic but nevertheless intimidating.
After the team split up, they both stepped away from using facepaint and each gained a new manager—Warlord being paired up with Slick and Barbarian joining Bobby Heenan.
The Missing Link
The Missing Link was a character not so unlike to that of George 'The Animal' Steele and Madog Vachon - a crazy man that needed a handler to bring him to the ring and keep him under control.
He would repeatedly smash his own head into turnbuckles during matches and use his head as a weapon (but in reality his forearm appeared to take most of the blow). Kayfabe!
His face paint seemed to be geared more towards furthering his character.
'Dewey' Robertson passed away in August 2007. RIP.
Yoshi Tatsu
Yoshi wrestled in WWE for some time before debuting the above look.
During a feud with Tyson Kidd, where he was written off of television for a few weeks, Yoshi debuted this look when he returned citing it as a tribute to The Great Muta and his Japanese heritage. You have to long his ring entrance music and video, but his win - loss record is not on par with the rest of his act. Maybe he would have had more impact 10 years ago. Sadly we will never know. Tipped to enter a feud with Lord Tensai at some point, judging by Twitter, or might soon end up being shown the door, thanks to new WWE talent coming in. We like your work Yoshi and hope things pick up for you whatever happens.
Kamala The Ugandan Giant
The Ugandan Giant wrestled mainly in the 80's and 90's and his gimmick was that of a head hunter. Slap that huge belly. Recently told some dirt sheets that he wasn't happy with his paydays and guys like Hogan were making millions. Kamala, you were never Hogan (but we get your point).
Vampiro
Was a very good wrestler, especially by old WCW standards.
He has mainly competed in smaller organizations and wrestled in WCW for awhile. Face paint was simple, but effective.
Bull Nakano
Competed in Japan for most of her career. Many fans from North America know Nakano from feuding with Alundra Blayze / Madusa in WWE and WCW.
Her face paint is fairly understated most of the time save for the crack like streaks down her face.
Nakano is understood to have given professional golfing a swing!
Papa Shango
The man that would go on to become Kama and The Godfather. A good gimmick (geared to kids).
His voodoo gimmick of causing wrestlers to vomit and ooze oily looking stuff out of their heads was only enhanced by his skull inspired face paint.
The Great Kabuki
The man credited with being the first to blow 'Asian Mist' into his opponent's face has pretty cool face paint. Almost looks like he was on the receiving end of the Asian Mist himself.
He held a series of retirement matches in 1998 and was always a very solid worker.
The Great Muta
The Great Muta has had many different styles of face paint throughout the years.
Mostly known in North America for his stints in WCW and short time in WWE, Muta has always been a top wrestler wherever he has competed.
Changed over to wearing a mask since shaving his head. Check out Muta VS Hogan which took place in Japan about 15 years ago. Classic.
Hakushi
The whole gimmick of Hakushi 'tatooing' his face and body with Kanji characters was very cool. Very good worker.
Goldust
Dustin Rhodes eccentric character has one of the coolest paint jobs ever. You have to love the Hollywood theme and intro, and how about the trademark promo "You will always remember the name... GOLDUST".
Umaga
The Samoan Bulldozer was awesome. Umaga's face paint appeared to be an extension of his tribal tattoo art that he had across the rest of his body.
Umaga used his face paint to enhance his character and as a source of intimidation to his opponents with it resembling war paint of certain tribes.
Sadly, Eddie Fatu passed away in 2009. RIP.
Damien 666
While the colours and styles of Damien 666's paint changed throughout the years, the number 666 has always emblazoned his forehead.
Wrestling for most of his career in Mexico, Damien uses his paint as a character enhancer as well as for intimidation purposes.
The Bogeyman
If any gimmick was perfect to have face paint associated with it, the Boogeyman is it. He made a few alterations to it throughout his WWE career, but all consisted of a blood red backdrop on to which he superimposed other weird things.
His apparent eating of worms added additional intimidation factor to the whole gimmick.
Others
Lord Tensai, a major heel (villain) in the WWE has heavy face and body tattoos and body piercings, most if not all of which are legit. A former name he wrestled under was 'Prince Albert' (look it up and draw your own conclusions). A tough and legit SOB with loads of talent. Give the hardcore fans more time and they should come around and back him up more in current WWE storylines.
So wrestling and face paint fans. There you have it.
Got a wrestling match or fancy dress party coming up? Why not contact face painting and costume specialists, Human Statue Bodyart, for more details about how you can bring your pro wrestler to life. Masks and other costumes and accessories are also available.
Thank you to the extremely talented pro wrestlers who keep entertaining the fans each week, and Sting, Jeff Hardy and friends... please keep wowing us with your artistic creations.
That's it for the wrestling and face painting unmasked news today, but stay turned for developments as the countdown towards AWF 'Australia VS The World' and WWE 'Over The Limit' continues.
Saturday, May 5, 2012
WWE Superstars and their Avengers equivalents; Hulk Hogan - Marvel Entertainment connection
WWE Superstars and their Avengers equivalents; Hulk Hogan - Marvel Entertainment connection; The Hulk Movies And TV Series Planned; The Wolverine May Be Rated 'R', Australia, Hollywood...
Profiles
Movies Hollywood Marvel Entertainment Marvel Studios Marvel Comics Disney Sydney
Marvel superhero fans in Australia and around the world. We've got tons of news for you today. There's the WWE tie in, Hulk Hogan - Marvel Entertainment history, Avengers news, quotes, numbers and more...
WWE posted on their official website all time Avengers like teams from the history of the WWE and WCW.
Here's some WWE superstars and their Marvel superhero equivalents...
Mark Henry is Incredible Hulk: Both these guys are massive, have superhuman strength and short tempers. Sometimes Mark Henry wears a green onsie. Incredible Hulk may or may not have been a member of The Nation of Domination.
Dolph Ziggler is Thor: Technically one of the best Superhero’s in the business. Ziggler wears a pink T-Shirt as a cape so close enough.
CM Punk is Iron Man: Both are pretty much indestructible and cocky. They sometimes share the same facial hair.
Jack Swagger is Capitan America: Doesn’t really have any great powers but people seem to like them for some reason.
Vickie Guerrero is Bucky.
Kelly Kelly is Black Widow, but some will argue and say the role goes to super heel Eve.
R-Truth is Nick Fury: Seems to fit, and we know he's the right colour also. If the shoe fits...
Evan Bourne is Hawkeye: He’s not on the poster but both have pin point accuracy.
Hulk Hogan and Marvel Entertainment Background...
Who owns the rights to "Hulkamania" "Hulk Hogan" and "Hulkster"?
Marvel Comics. When Hulk Hogan first wrestled under the "Hulk" name he was known at "The Incredible Hulk Hogan". Marvel Comics had a television show and comic book at the time called "The Incredible Hulk". Marvel thought the WWF was copying their "Hulk" character and warned WWF to stop. Instead of stopping the "Hulkamania" character the WWF made a deal with Marvel to recognize Marvel as the owner of all the "Hulk" names and in return Marvel gave the WWF a license to merchandise the Hulk name. When Hulk Hogan went to WCW they signed a similar deal with Marvel.
It should be noted that when Hulk Hogan became Hollywood Hogan he tried to cancel the Marvel deal but it didn't work out well and the deal is still alive.
The Avengers Premieres Early and Strong at International Box Office; Second Highest Opening of All Time in Australia...
Marvel is experimenting with the typical release pattern for their giant tentpole movies. Thor premiered in dozens of foreign markets before the American release on May 2. The US got Captain America first for obvious reasons, but Marvel went international to unveil The Avengers before the U.S. gets a hold of it.
The Avengers debuted down under in Australia, New Zealand, and Taiwan with an awesome $8 million start. Per THR, most of that was grossed in Australia, where $6 million makes it the second highest opening day behind Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2. Marvel will release The Avengers in over 40 international territories this weekend.
Expect more stellar results, since the all-star cast—Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson—and the colorful action bust the language barrier. By the time it makes its way back to the U.S on May 4, The Avengers is expected to surpass $150 million domestic in the opening weekend.
Official synopsis:
Marvel Studios presents in association with Paramount Pictures “Marvel’s The Avengers”–the Super Hero team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel Super Heroes Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins. Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson, and directed by Joss Whedon, “Marvel’s The Avengers” is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series “The Avengers,” first published in 1963 and a comics institution ever since. Prepare yourself for an exciting event movie, packed with action and spectacular special effects, when “Marvel’s The Avengers” assemble in summer 2012. In “Marvel’s The Avengers,” superheroes team up to pull the world back from the brink of disaster when an unexpected enemy threatens global security.
Marvel Planning More Hulk?; Mark Ruffalo's signed for six pictures...
One of the big successes of Marvel’s latest superhero outing, Avengers Assemble, is how well writer-director Joss Whedon and actor Mark Ruffalo pulled off bringing Bruce Banner and his rage-fuelled alter ego to life. It's no shocker that Marvel wants to do more Hulk flicks.
From what Ruffalo and Marvel’s president of consumer products have been saying, that could happen sooner rather than later.
Speaking with media firm Collider, Ruffalo says that he’s signed the seemingly standard six-movie contract with Marvel, and that he had such a good time, he definitely hopes they’ll keep him around for more.
But while Marvel film boss Kevin Feige has previously said there are no concrete plans to bring the Hulk back solo just yet, consumer products chief Paul Gitter sat down with Forbes magazine (via The Playlist) and talked up the company’s surprise at just how well The Hulk has been received and that things could be changing.
According to Gitter, the current thinking is to spin the Hulk off into the already-planned standalone TV series and then a likely next film in 2015.
We will need to hear more from Feige before we start marking in more Hulk time to our diaries. He’s the man who sets the agenda for the movies, and basing the decision to make more Hulk movies on how many toys could be sold doesn’t really seem the Marvel way.
We want to see more Banner and Hulk outings, assuming they’re organised and planned properly. We’ve got faith in Marvel’s ability to pump out more quality superhero TV shows and movies, so here's hoping the new team doesn't let us down, and continues to impress the heck out of media and fans, just as The Avengers smash hit movie has done.
Stealing The Avengers - 3rd May 2012...
As Loki, Tom Hiddleston is a villain who is equally happy destroying New York and stealing the show.
With the film set to break some box office records worldwide, everyone's buzzing about the all-star team of do-gooders in The Avengers, from Robert Downey Jr's Iron Man to Chris Evans' Captain America to Australian Chris Hemsworth's god of thunder, Thor.
Well how about this wily bad guy who's such a peril that humanity has to assemble half a dozen Marvel Comics superheroes to rein him in?
British actor Tom Hiddleston first played Loki, wicked younger son of Norse king of the gods Odin, in last year's Thor, scheming to banish brother Thor and take his place as heir to the throne.
Hiddleston's Loki proved so diabolical that he's back as the villain of The Avengers, which is currently playing in Australian cinemas.
As Hiddleston says, Loki is mean and hateful, which can be great fun - and greatly challenging - for an actor to play.
"Sometimes, it's really hard, especially when you get up in the morning feeling in a good mood, and that sort of innate contentment is of absolutely no use to you, because you're having to stoke the bonfires of anger and sadness and despair and all that stuff," Hiddleston said.
The 31-year-old classically trained actor, who studied at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, clearly managed to overcome his good moods to imbue Loki with venom. Not only was he cast in The Avengers, but Hiddleston's also returning for Thor 2, which begins shooting late this year for release in November 2013.
"He sort of steals the movie," Hemsworth said of Hiddleston's performance in The Avengers. "He's the catalyst for everything that's happening. What he's doing, that's where it either stands or falls, and he really pulled it off."
A rising star of British theatre and TV drama, Hiddleston followed Thor with a charming turn as F Scott Fitzgerald in Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris, then played a noble English cavalry officer in Steven Spielberg's War Horse.
Hiddleston co-stars with Rachel Weisz in Terence Davies' infidelity drama The Deep Blue Sea, now playing in US theatres. He also just finished production on British TV adaptations of Shakespeare's Henry IV parts one and two, playing Prince Hal, and Henry V, in which he has the title role.
Despite his comic-book roots, Loki himself has a Shakespearean dimension akin to such villains as Iago in Othello and Edmund in King Lear, Hiddleston said.
"He's motivated by the same things. He's motivated by jealousy and pride and ambition and vanity," Hiddleston said. "Shakespeare's very unforgiving of those things, and in a way, it's the same job. It's just, I'm wearing a crazier costume and blowing up Manhattan."
Hiddleston has older and younger sisters but no brothers. Yet he still recognises the Thor-Loki rivalry as a universal struggle.
"I've never had a brother, but I really understand it, because I had friends when I was a kid, whose brothers were very close in age, and they would beat the crap out of each other. And I could understand that that was sort of a natural thing."
Hiddleston can't say yet whether Loki and Thor are still beating on each other in Thor 2. He had not yet received the script, so he's as curious as any other fan about what Loki will be up to next.
"What's interesting for me is whether he's redeemable now at this point. ... Can he be forgiven by Thor, by Odin, and can he forgive himself?" Hiddleston said. "Is he even self-aware enough to know that's what he needs?"
Tune in late next year to find out. (AP)
Marvel sued over 'Iron Man' deal...
Just as it releases The Avengers in the U.S., Marvel Entertainment is being sued over a deal involving Iron Man.
Box-O-Mania, a Los Angeles toy company, sued the studio Thursday over a merchandising deal involving the character.
Maxim Tselevich, the owner of Box-O-Mania, claimed that he approached Marvel about a deal to use its superheroes on a kids’ playhouse he created in 2009.
Marvel was purchased by Disney that same year, although Disney was not cited in the suit.
The following year, Marvel and Box-O-Mania worked out a deal to create Iron Man Lair Play Boxes, which would be released to coincide with the DVD release of Iron Man 2 (2010) on Nov. 16.
However, Tselevich said that Marvel refused to provide the needed intellectual property and artwork to complete the playhouses. A few months later, he claimed to have learned that Marvel never had the licensing rights to the required IP, which led to a loss of $33,000.
The 23-page suit cites Marvel on nine counts, including fraud, concealment, misrepresentation and negligence.
“As a further result of the executor fraud,” it read. “Box-O-Mania has been damaged in lost business, business opportunities, and reputation and otherwise in an amount to be proved.”
Box-O-Mania has requested a 10-day jury trial.
Fox CEO Promises 'The Wolverine' Will Be 'True Berserker and Bad Ass'...
Tom Rotham additionally says that the Marvel superhero film will kick off filming in both Australia and Japan right after Hugh Jackman wraps 'Les Miserables' in London...
After being postponed for some time, "The Wolverine" will finally kick off its production in the near future. Giving some updates on the status of the long-gestating Marvel superhero movie project, 20th Century Fox CEO Tom Rothman stated that the anticipated film will be shot in both Australia and Japan, as well as promised that it will be "a true Wolverine movie."
Speaking to Collider, Rothman explained that "Wolverine" will start filming soon after lead actor Hugh Jackman wraps "Les Miserables", which is currently shooting in London. He said, "Hugh Jackman is finishing 'Les Miserables' in London, we're gearing up and prepping now."
"We'll shoot the stage work in Australia and the location work in Japan, and we'll start casting in the next month or so," Rothman went on saying. Since the plot will mainly be set in Japan, Rothman said that "there'll be a lot of local Japanese talent in it."
Asked about where the upcoming "Wolverine" movie will stand on, the CEO revealed, "This is a pretty original take." Hinting that the film will be grittier, he said, "It's based on a very successful run in the comics, but it's a true Wolverine movie, I mean this is the true berserker, bad ass Wolverine."
Rothman's statement somehow encourages Jackman's previous comments that he and director James Mangold might make "Wolverine" an R-rated movie. "James Mangold and I talked about [an R-rated version] and we're like 'Look, let's not put it off the table'," Jackman told MTV News.
Jackman said that he's been considering filming the superhero movie in both R and PG13 versions. "There's even talk about us doing two versions, as in finding a way to do both while you shoot it, which could be really cool. But you need to have a really good reason to exclude those fans," he explained.
"There is such great temptation to make an R-rated 'Wolverine'. I've always felt that, I know a lot of fans would like that, and if there's ever gonna be a superhero that's gonna be R-rated it's Wolverine," so Jackman dished.
"The Wolverine" will take its cue from the early 1980s Chris Claremont/Frank Miller miniseries, which is set in Japan. It features the mutant hero dealing with ninjas as he struggles whether to follow his animal killer instincts or live under a samurai's code of honor and respect.
20th Century Fox has scheduled to release the superhero film in the U.S. on July 26, 2013.
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Profiles
Movies Hollywood Marvel Entertainment Marvel Studios Marvel Comics Disney Sydney
Marvel superhero fans in Australia and around the world. We've got tons of news for you today. There's the WWE tie in, Hulk Hogan - Marvel Entertainment history, Avengers news, quotes, numbers and more...
WWE posted on their official website all time Avengers like teams from the history of the WWE and WCW.
Here's some WWE superstars and their Marvel superhero equivalents...
Mark Henry is Incredible Hulk: Both these guys are massive, have superhuman strength and short tempers. Sometimes Mark Henry wears a green onsie. Incredible Hulk may or may not have been a member of The Nation of Domination.
Dolph Ziggler is Thor: Technically one of the best Superhero’s in the business. Ziggler wears a pink T-Shirt as a cape so close enough.
CM Punk is Iron Man: Both are pretty much indestructible and cocky. They sometimes share the same facial hair.
Jack Swagger is Capitan America: Doesn’t really have any great powers but people seem to like them for some reason.
Vickie Guerrero is Bucky.
Kelly Kelly is Black Widow, but some will argue and say the role goes to super heel Eve.
R-Truth is Nick Fury: Seems to fit, and we know he's the right colour also. If the shoe fits...
Evan Bourne is Hawkeye: He’s not on the poster but both have pin point accuracy.
Hulk Hogan and Marvel Entertainment Background...
Who owns the rights to "Hulkamania" "Hulk Hogan" and "Hulkster"?
Marvel Comics. When Hulk Hogan first wrestled under the "Hulk" name he was known at "The Incredible Hulk Hogan". Marvel Comics had a television show and comic book at the time called "The Incredible Hulk". Marvel thought the WWF was copying their "Hulk" character and warned WWF to stop. Instead of stopping the "Hulkamania" character the WWF made a deal with Marvel to recognize Marvel as the owner of all the "Hulk" names and in return Marvel gave the WWF a license to merchandise the Hulk name. When Hulk Hogan went to WCW they signed a similar deal with Marvel.
It should be noted that when Hulk Hogan became Hollywood Hogan he tried to cancel the Marvel deal but it didn't work out well and the deal is still alive.
The Avengers Premieres Early and Strong at International Box Office; Second Highest Opening of All Time in Australia...
Marvel is experimenting with the typical release pattern for their giant tentpole movies. Thor premiered in dozens of foreign markets before the American release on May 2. The US got Captain America first for obvious reasons, but Marvel went international to unveil The Avengers before the U.S. gets a hold of it.
The Avengers debuted down under in Australia, New Zealand, and Taiwan with an awesome $8 million start. Per THR, most of that was grossed in Australia, where $6 million makes it the second highest opening day behind Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2. Marvel will release The Avengers in over 40 international territories this weekend.
Expect more stellar results, since the all-star cast—Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Chris Hemsworth, Jeremy Renner, Scarlett Johansson, Samuel L. Jackson—and the colorful action bust the language barrier. By the time it makes its way back to the U.S on May 4, The Avengers is expected to surpass $150 million domestic in the opening weekend.
Official synopsis:
Marvel Studios presents in association with Paramount Pictures “Marvel’s The Avengers”–the Super Hero team up of a lifetime, featuring iconic Marvel Super Heroes Iron Man, The Incredible Hulk, Thor, Captain America, Hawkeye and Black Widow. When an unexpected enemy emerges that threatens global safety and security, Nick Fury, Director of the international peacekeeping agency known as S.H.I.E.L.D., finds himself in need of a team to pull the world back from the brink of disaster. Spanning the globe, a daring recruitment effort begins. Starring Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner and Samuel L. Jackson, and directed by Joss Whedon, “Marvel’s The Avengers” is based on the ever-popular Marvel comic book series “The Avengers,” first published in 1963 and a comics institution ever since. Prepare yourself for an exciting event movie, packed with action and spectacular special effects, when “Marvel’s The Avengers” assemble in summer 2012. In “Marvel’s The Avengers,” superheroes team up to pull the world back from the brink of disaster when an unexpected enemy threatens global security.
Marvel Planning More Hulk?; Mark Ruffalo's signed for six pictures...
One of the big successes of Marvel’s latest superhero outing, Avengers Assemble, is how well writer-director Joss Whedon and actor Mark Ruffalo pulled off bringing Bruce Banner and his rage-fuelled alter ego to life. It's no shocker that Marvel wants to do more Hulk flicks.
From what Ruffalo and Marvel’s president of consumer products have been saying, that could happen sooner rather than later.
Speaking with media firm Collider, Ruffalo says that he’s signed the seemingly standard six-movie contract with Marvel, and that he had such a good time, he definitely hopes they’ll keep him around for more.
But while Marvel film boss Kevin Feige has previously said there are no concrete plans to bring the Hulk back solo just yet, consumer products chief Paul Gitter sat down with Forbes magazine (via The Playlist) and talked up the company’s surprise at just how well The Hulk has been received and that things could be changing.
According to Gitter, the current thinking is to spin the Hulk off into the already-planned standalone TV series and then a likely next film in 2015.
We will need to hear more from Feige before we start marking in more Hulk time to our diaries. He’s the man who sets the agenda for the movies, and basing the decision to make more Hulk movies on how many toys could be sold doesn’t really seem the Marvel way.
We want to see more Banner and Hulk outings, assuming they’re organised and planned properly. We’ve got faith in Marvel’s ability to pump out more quality superhero TV shows and movies, so here's hoping the new team doesn't let us down, and continues to impress the heck out of media and fans, just as The Avengers smash hit movie has done.
Stealing The Avengers - 3rd May 2012...
As Loki, Tom Hiddleston is a villain who is equally happy destroying New York and stealing the show.
With the film set to break some box office records worldwide, everyone's buzzing about the all-star team of do-gooders in The Avengers, from Robert Downey Jr's Iron Man to Chris Evans' Captain America to Australian Chris Hemsworth's god of thunder, Thor.
Well how about this wily bad guy who's such a peril that humanity has to assemble half a dozen Marvel Comics superheroes to rein him in?
British actor Tom Hiddleston first played Loki, wicked younger son of Norse king of the gods Odin, in last year's Thor, scheming to banish brother Thor and take his place as heir to the throne.
Hiddleston's Loki proved so diabolical that he's back as the villain of The Avengers, which is currently playing in Australian cinemas.
As Hiddleston says, Loki is mean and hateful, which can be great fun - and greatly challenging - for an actor to play.
"Sometimes, it's really hard, especially when you get up in the morning feeling in a good mood, and that sort of innate contentment is of absolutely no use to you, because you're having to stoke the bonfires of anger and sadness and despair and all that stuff," Hiddleston said.
The 31-year-old classically trained actor, who studied at London's Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts, clearly managed to overcome his good moods to imbue Loki with venom. Not only was he cast in The Avengers, but Hiddleston's also returning for Thor 2, which begins shooting late this year for release in November 2013.
"He sort of steals the movie," Hemsworth said of Hiddleston's performance in The Avengers. "He's the catalyst for everything that's happening. What he's doing, that's where it either stands or falls, and he really pulled it off."
A rising star of British theatre and TV drama, Hiddleston followed Thor with a charming turn as F Scott Fitzgerald in Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris, then played a noble English cavalry officer in Steven Spielberg's War Horse.
Hiddleston co-stars with Rachel Weisz in Terence Davies' infidelity drama The Deep Blue Sea, now playing in US theatres. He also just finished production on British TV adaptations of Shakespeare's Henry IV parts one and two, playing Prince Hal, and Henry V, in which he has the title role.
Despite his comic-book roots, Loki himself has a Shakespearean dimension akin to such villains as Iago in Othello and Edmund in King Lear, Hiddleston said.
"He's motivated by the same things. He's motivated by jealousy and pride and ambition and vanity," Hiddleston said. "Shakespeare's very unforgiving of those things, and in a way, it's the same job. It's just, I'm wearing a crazier costume and blowing up Manhattan."
Hiddleston has older and younger sisters but no brothers. Yet he still recognises the Thor-Loki rivalry as a universal struggle.
"I've never had a brother, but I really understand it, because I had friends when I was a kid, whose brothers were very close in age, and they would beat the crap out of each other. And I could understand that that was sort of a natural thing."
Hiddleston can't say yet whether Loki and Thor are still beating on each other in Thor 2. He had not yet received the script, so he's as curious as any other fan about what Loki will be up to next.
"What's interesting for me is whether he's redeemable now at this point. ... Can he be forgiven by Thor, by Odin, and can he forgive himself?" Hiddleston said. "Is he even self-aware enough to know that's what he needs?"
Tune in late next year to find out. (AP)
Marvel sued over 'Iron Man' deal...
Just as it releases The Avengers in the U.S., Marvel Entertainment is being sued over a deal involving Iron Man.
Box-O-Mania, a Los Angeles toy company, sued the studio Thursday over a merchandising deal involving the character.
Maxim Tselevich, the owner of Box-O-Mania, claimed that he approached Marvel about a deal to use its superheroes on a kids’ playhouse he created in 2009.
Marvel was purchased by Disney that same year, although Disney was not cited in the suit.
The following year, Marvel and Box-O-Mania worked out a deal to create Iron Man Lair Play Boxes, which would be released to coincide with the DVD release of Iron Man 2 (2010) on Nov. 16.
However, Tselevich said that Marvel refused to provide the needed intellectual property and artwork to complete the playhouses. A few months later, he claimed to have learned that Marvel never had the licensing rights to the required IP, which led to a loss of $33,000.
The 23-page suit cites Marvel on nine counts, including fraud, concealment, misrepresentation and negligence.
“As a further result of the executor fraud,” it read. “Box-O-Mania has been damaged in lost business, business opportunities, and reputation and otherwise in an amount to be proved.”
Box-O-Mania has requested a 10-day jury trial.
Fox CEO Promises 'The Wolverine' Will Be 'True Berserker and Bad Ass'...
Tom Rotham additionally says that the Marvel superhero film will kick off filming in both Australia and Japan right after Hugh Jackman wraps 'Les Miserables' in London...
After being postponed for some time, "The Wolverine" will finally kick off its production in the near future. Giving some updates on the status of the long-gestating Marvel superhero movie project, 20th Century Fox CEO Tom Rothman stated that the anticipated film will be shot in both Australia and Japan, as well as promised that it will be "a true Wolverine movie."
Speaking to Collider, Rothman explained that "Wolverine" will start filming soon after lead actor Hugh Jackman wraps "Les Miserables", which is currently shooting in London. He said, "Hugh Jackman is finishing 'Les Miserables' in London, we're gearing up and prepping now."
"We'll shoot the stage work in Australia and the location work in Japan, and we'll start casting in the next month or so," Rothman went on saying. Since the plot will mainly be set in Japan, Rothman said that "there'll be a lot of local Japanese talent in it."
Asked about where the upcoming "Wolverine" movie will stand on, the CEO revealed, "This is a pretty original take." Hinting that the film will be grittier, he said, "It's based on a very successful run in the comics, but it's a true Wolverine movie, I mean this is the true berserker, bad ass Wolverine."
Rothman's statement somehow encourages Jackman's previous comments that he and director James Mangold might make "Wolverine" an R-rated movie. "James Mangold and I talked about [an R-rated version] and we're like 'Look, let's not put it off the table'," Jackman told MTV News.
Jackman said that he's been considering filming the superhero movie in both R and PG13 versions. "There's even talk about us doing two versions, as in finding a way to do both while you shoot it, which could be really cool. But you need to have a really good reason to exclude those fans," he explained.
"There is such great temptation to make an R-rated 'Wolverine'. I've always felt that, I know a lot of fans would like that, and if there's ever gonna be a superhero that's gonna be R-rated it's Wolverine," so Jackman dished.
"The Wolverine" will take its cue from the early 1980s Chris Claremont/Frank Miller miniseries, which is set in Japan. It features the mutant hero dealing with ninjas as he struggles whether to follow his animal killer instincts or live under a samurai's code of honor and respect.
20th Century Fox has scheduled to release the superhero film in the U.S. on July 26, 2013.
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Friday, May 4, 2012
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia: Day 5 - 4th May 2012
Profiles
Events Fashion Celebrities Mercedes-Benz Sydney
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia today officially enjoyed day 5 - its final day in Sydney, Australia.
Profiles
nANA JUDY
Australian based fashion label nANA JUDY was established in 2006 starting a new era in men’s fashion. Due to a unique vision & style the label was immediately stocked in leading boutiques nationwide in its first season. nANA jUDY is now also positioned in selected international stores and premiere department store David Jones.
nANA jUDY designs seasonal ready to wear collections, each range including classic styling emphasising fit, quality & design. What sets this label apart is its focus on trend forward pieces with detailed design elements. nANA jUDY prides itself with presenting these on trend collections across style categories including jackets, shirting, printed & conceptual pieces together with denim . Over the seasons each collection evolves taking on a new story inspired by pop culture, vintage reminiscence, art and the underground scene.
nANA jUDY’s continued runway presence at Australian Fashion Week and reputation for exclusive parties, has lead to a strong cult following of the label. This media presence alongside editorials in street & gloss magazines around the world make nANA jUDY a key brand in the men’s fashion market. (Credit: MBFWA)
New Generation 2 - Susan Rep
Susan Rep, Melbourne’s designer, is proud to announce the launch of her line. The collection is designed around women’s lifestyle that perfectly translates easily from day to night – from lounging around home to the beach to a night out.
Sourcing exquisite, quality and breathable fabrics from around the globe, Susan’s desire is to create pieces of elegance with simple silhouettes that compliment women’s shape and form.
Australian designed and manufactured with signature touches and embellishments that make the pieces exclusive to Susan Rep designs.
Susan Rep has worked in the fashion industry for over a decade. After completing her studies at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Susan began her career as a grade/marker maker/designer. During her time in the industry, she has worked with brands such as Mossimo, Osh Kosh, Scanlan & Theodore, Peter Alexander and Anthea Crawford.
The desire for nice pajamas was the start of her inspiration. Never quite finding what she wanted, with her experience in the demanding fashion industry, Rep set out to create something truly unique and original.
Susan Rep is a Lifestyle label of being ever modern, classic and beautiful with quality. (Credit: MBFWA)
Style Hong Kong...
DODO LEUNG
Born and raised in Hong Kong, DoDo Leung started her career as a fashion designer for ladies’ high fashion and evening wear, with specialization in unique cutting & embroidery over 15 years. In 2009 Mondovi® debuted as DoDo Leung’s designer label for high-end lingerie couture collection for today’s modern women. Leung’s design principle behind Mondovi is to show the ravishing feminine physique with luxurious lingerie features as finest gown.
The first collection of Mondovi®, “Secret Garden,” was showcased at the 2009 World Boutique Hong Kong, Australia’s “Fashion Exposed & Preview” in Sydney and Taiwan’s Taipei IN Style. The second and third collection “Fairies Whisper” and “M Wild” are now being introduced in Hong Kong and Taiwan, with online purchasing as a new option so to better promote the brand globally and to offer women around the world the Mondovi way of elegant inner beauty, and rediscovering sexy feeling in deeply. (Credit: MBFWA)
HEI LAU
Hei Lau is living and working out of her home country, Hong Kong. She was born in 1982 in Hong Kong, the small and bustling metropolitan city in Asia where she was raised and studied fashion.
After graduating and obtaining her degree from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2004, she started designing her own ladies wear collection under the label TRÈSHEI, owned and run by the prestigious Hong Kong retail group ‘TWIST’.
Five years after her career in TRÈSHEI, she left the group and introduced her own label HEI LAU in June of 2009, to further pursue her design philosophy and dream. Since then, she showcases her S/S and F/W collections in Paris, France every year, introducing HEI LAU to the international buyers. (Credit: MBFWA)
CHAILIE HO
Gifted with immense emotion and imagination, Chailie Ho dedicates herself to portraying the beauty of love and feminine tenderness in her designs.
Having graduated from the prestigious Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in womenswear, Chailie further sharpened her potential by achieving a postgraduate certificate in innovative pattern cutting in 2007. Followed by working with Hussein Chalayan, Clements Ribeiro, and a number of acclaimed designers, she debuted her first collection at age 27 with the belief that clothing can accentuate a woman's delicate beauty.
HARRISON WONG
Harrison Wong was born in Hong Kong, and at the age of 20, joined Hong Kong fashion doyen Walter Ma as a designer, spending a total 6 years at the label, during which he burst into the public eye by winning the Hong Kong Young Designer’s Contest during Hong Kong Fashion Week in 1996. That year, he also won a special award for Asian Fashion at the Grand Prix Contest, held by the Association of Total Fashion in Japan.
He then studied in London, where he obtained his Masters degree with distinction from the London College of Fashion. Upon graduating, he launched his first label, a high-end boutique line dubbed the final collection. He was later tapped by a Hong Kong based retail fashion chain as their design director, a position which Wong left last year to focus on developing his own Harrison Wong enterprise, as well as a consultant for Chinese fashion chains. (Credit: MBFWA)
News...
Akira Isogawa's art puts heads in the clouds...
Akira Isogawa has returned to Fashion Week Australia's lineup with a show-stopper.
Launching his simple yet beautiful show at fashion week's Sydney headquarters today was a lone, svelte model in a stunning ivory gown.
Dripping onto the white runway, the gown captivated onlookers with beading that ran from the thighs, across the torso and over wide shoulder straps.
Another model, led by Isogawa to a twin runway, showcased the Kyoto-born designer's contemporary take on traditional Japanese prints in a silk kimono.
Photographers crowded around as one platform was dedicated to bright, bold ensembles in scarlet, royal blue, aquamarine, fuchsia, yellow and florals.
Loose kimonos and dresses featuring birds and flowers were adorned with beaded brooches, and paired with matching platform heels and headpieces.
In contrast, the ivory gowns on the neighbouring platform were enough to make any bride-to-be swoon.
As delicate as origami, the knee- and floor-length gowns featured embroidered flowers, some of which were traced in gold thread or with subtle silver beading in the centres.
Others were covered in fabric blossoms, while ruffles crawled across decolletages and faces were clouded by artistic headwear.
Isogawa said he had wanted to created heavenly pieces with paradise in mind.
The collection expressed his vision of purity, with soft, silky, comfortable designs.
The theatrical mood was made complete by a soundtrack of twittering birds and silk petals scattered across the black-carpeted floor. (AAP)
Websites
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week (Australia)
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Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
Eva Rinaldi Photography
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Media Man Entertainment
Events Fashion Celebrities Mercedes-Benz Sydney
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Australia today officially enjoyed day 5 - its final day in Sydney, Australia.
Profiles
nANA JUDY
Australian based fashion label nANA JUDY was established in 2006 starting a new era in men’s fashion. Due to a unique vision & style the label was immediately stocked in leading boutiques nationwide in its first season. nANA jUDY is now also positioned in selected international stores and premiere department store David Jones.
nANA jUDY designs seasonal ready to wear collections, each range including classic styling emphasising fit, quality & design. What sets this label apart is its focus on trend forward pieces with detailed design elements. nANA jUDY prides itself with presenting these on trend collections across style categories including jackets, shirting, printed & conceptual pieces together with denim . Over the seasons each collection evolves taking on a new story inspired by pop culture, vintage reminiscence, art and the underground scene.
nANA jUDY’s continued runway presence at Australian Fashion Week and reputation for exclusive parties, has lead to a strong cult following of the label. This media presence alongside editorials in street & gloss magazines around the world make nANA jUDY a key brand in the men’s fashion market. (Credit: MBFWA)
New Generation 2 - Susan Rep
Susan Rep, Melbourne’s designer, is proud to announce the launch of her line. The collection is designed around women’s lifestyle that perfectly translates easily from day to night – from lounging around home to the beach to a night out.
Sourcing exquisite, quality and breathable fabrics from around the globe, Susan’s desire is to create pieces of elegance with simple silhouettes that compliment women’s shape and form.
Australian designed and manufactured with signature touches and embellishments that make the pieces exclusive to Susan Rep designs.
Susan Rep has worked in the fashion industry for over a decade. After completing her studies at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Susan began her career as a grade/marker maker/designer. During her time in the industry, she has worked with brands such as Mossimo, Osh Kosh, Scanlan & Theodore, Peter Alexander and Anthea Crawford.
The desire for nice pajamas was the start of her inspiration. Never quite finding what she wanted, with her experience in the demanding fashion industry, Rep set out to create something truly unique and original.
Susan Rep is a Lifestyle label of being ever modern, classic and beautiful with quality. (Credit: MBFWA)
Style Hong Kong...
DODO LEUNG
Born and raised in Hong Kong, DoDo Leung started her career as a fashion designer for ladies’ high fashion and evening wear, with specialization in unique cutting & embroidery over 15 years. In 2009 Mondovi® debuted as DoDo Leung’s designer label for high-end lingerie couture collection for today’s modern women. Leung’s design principle behind Mondovi is to show the ravishing feminine physique with luxurious lingerie features as finest gown.
The first collection of Mondovi®, “Secret Garden,” was showcased at the 2009 World Boutique Hong Kong, Australia’s “Fashion Exposed & Preview” in Sydney and Taiwan’s Taipei IN Style. The second and third collection “Fairies Whisper” and “M Wild” are now being introduced in Hong Kong and Taiwan, with online purchasing as a new option so to better promote the brand globally and to offer women around the world the Mondovi way of elegant inner beauty, and rediscovering sexy feeling in deeply. (Credit: MBFWA)
HEI LAU
Hei Lau is living and working out of her home country, Hong Kong. She was born in 1982 in Hong Kong, the small and bustling metropolitan city in Asia where she was raised and studied fashion.
After graduating and obtaining her degree from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2004, she started designing her own ladies wear collection under the label TRÈSHEI, owned and run by the prestigious Hong Kong retail group ‘TWIST’.
Five years after her career in TRÈSHEI, she left the group and introduced her own label HEI LAU in June of 2009, to further pursue her design philosophy and dream. Since then, she showcases her S/S and F/W collections in Paris, France every year, introducing HEI LAU to the international buyers. (Credit: MBFWA)
CHAILIE HO
Gifted with immense emotion and imagination, Chailie Ho dedicates herself to portraying the beauty of love and feminine tenderness in her designs.
Having graduated from the prestigious Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in womenswear, Chailie further sharpened her potential by achieving a postgraduate certificate in innovative pattern cutting in 2007. Followed by working with Hussein Chalayan, Clements Ribeiro, and a number of acclaimed designers, she debuted her first collection at age 27 with the belief that clothing can accentuate a woman's delicate beauty.
HARRISON WONG
Harrison Wong was born in Hong Kong, and at the age of 20, joined Hong Kong fashion doyen Walter Ma as a designer, spending a total 6 years at the label, during which he burst into the public eye by winning the Hong Kong Young Designer’s Contest during Hong Kong Fashion Week in 1996. That year, he also won a special award for Asian Fashion at the Grand Prix Contest, held by the Association of Total Fashion in Japan.
He then studied in London, where he obtained his Masters degree with distinction from the London College of Fashion. Upon graduating, he launched his first label, a high-end boutique line dubbed the final collection. He was later tapped by a Hong Kong based retail fashion chain as their design director, a position which Wong left last year to focus on developing his own Harrison Wong enterprise, as well as a consultant for Chinese fashion chains. (Credit: MBFWA)
News...
Akira Isogawa's art puts heads in the clouds...
Akira Isogawa has returned to Fashion Week Australia's lineup with a show-stopper.
Launching his simple yet beautiful show at fashion week's Sydney headquarters today was a lone, svelte model in a stunning ivory gown.
Dripping onto the white runway, the gown captivated onlookers with beading that ran from the thighs, across the torso and over wide shoulder straps.
Another model, led by Isogawa to a twin runway, showcased the Kyoto-born designer's contemporary take on traditional Japanese prints in a silk kimono.
Photographers crowded around as one platform was dedicated to bright, bold ensembles in scarlet, royal blue, aquamarine, fuchsia, yellow and florals.
Loose kimonos and dresses featuring birds and flowers were adorned with beaded brooches, and paired with matching platform heels and headpieces.
In contrast, the ivory gowns on the neighbouring platform were enough to make any bride-to-be swoon.
As delicate as origami, the knee- and floor-length gowns featured embroidered flowers, some of which were traced in gold thread or with subtle silver beading in the centres.
Others were covered in fabric blossoms, while ruffles crawled across decolletages and faces were clouded by artistic headwear.
Isogawa said he had wanted to created heavenly pieces with paradise in mind.
The collection expressed his vision of purity, with soft, silky, comfortable designs.
The theatrical mood was made complete by a soundtrack of twittering birds and silk petals scattered across the black-carpeted floor. (AAP)
Websites
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week (Australia)
IMG Worldwide
Eva Rinaldi Photography Flickr
Eva Rinaldi Photography
Music News Australia
Media Man News
Website Network
Media Man Int
Media Man
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Media Man Entertainment
WWE Pro Wrestling News: The Rock, Antonio Cesaro, WWE Shareholder’s Meeting, WWE Network
Profiles
WWE Wrestling Vince McMahon Sports Entertainment Entertainment Television
G'day Australian pro wrestling - sports entertainment fans. Here's your long awaited news report. There's new wrestling talent, the annual shareholder's meeting, WWE Network news and much more.
- The Rock posted a shout out to WWE’s corporate and production employees on Twitter this weekend:
“To all @WWE corporate & production employees: THANK YOU. #ThatsAll”
- As seen on Friday’s SmackDown, Antonio Cesaro made his WWE TV debut in a “tryout match” against Tyson Kidd. Cesaro was introduced by his new lady friend Aksana before the match. The stipulation was that if John Laurinaitis liked what he saw, he would offer Cesaro a contract. Cesaro defeated Kidd in about three minutes and WWE’s website indicates that he is now part of the SmackDown roster.
- As noted before, WWE held the annual shareholder’s meeting on Friday morning at WWE Headquarters in Stamford, CT. Here are some more highlights:
* A shareholder asked if it was time to drop the price of pay-per-views due to a drop in buyrates and Vince said no. Another shareholder asked about WWE offering all pay-per-view events as a package like other sports. Vince said it was a possibility but they have to see whether or not the PPV’s will be includes as a part of the WWE Network and if so, how that changes their plans.
* A shareholder asked if pay-per-view events would be shown on the Network. Vince said they were formulating that and it all depended on pricing.
* Announcements will be coming “very shortly” about the future of NXT and Superstars distribution. WWE has used the shows in contract negotiations for the Network. They have strategically held back on bringing the shows back to TV.
* Vince was asked about concern over WrestleMania 29 and the chance that it will be held in 40 degree with a possibility of now. Vince mentioned fans going to MLB and NFL events outdoors, dressing appropriately and said the same will happen at WrestleMania. He added that if it snows, it will be a lot of fun.
* WWE Classics On Demand will most likely be dropped when the Network launches.
* Regarding the Network launching, Vince admitted he did not have an answer but said an announcement is forthcoming. He said they are taking their time so they can keep options open.
- Here are some more highlights from WWE’s shareholders meeting on Friday morning from WWE headquarters in Stamford, CT:
* Triple H addressed the WWE developmental rumors and said the future has always been about making the best developmental territory possible. They are making plans to expand developmental but it’s doing what it’s designed to do – create and cultivate new talents.
* Vince McMahon said WWE content on TV will remain PG but movies will allow for content with stronger ratings. Vince talked about being proud of the Be A Star anti-bullying campaign. Vince said fighting bullying is something he really believes in and something that will be a huge initiative for WWE in the years to come.
* Vince was asked about a physical WWE Hall of Fame and said it’s still located in his head. Vince said they are not in a physical brick & mortar business but the entertainment business and added that Hall of Fames don’t make money usually. One day WWE will probably build something for the Hall of Fame but Vince said it needs to be in the right environment. (Credit: Pro Wrestling Torch, Wrestling Observer, WrestleZone, Wikipedia, WWE)
Vince McMahon comments on first quarter financial report...
WWE revealed its first quarter financial results on Thursday. The company reported revenues totaling 123.1 million compared to 119.9 million in the same quarter last year. Operating income is 16.0 million, up from 13.2 million in the prior year quarter.
“In the first quarter, EBITDA grew 19%, reflecting increased profits across all our businesses," Vince McMahon stated in a press release. "Our results were highlighted by the strong performance of our live events as we entered a new market in the Middle East. We are very pleased that our positive first quarter execution continued in April with the successful staging of WrestleMania, which is expected to deliver nearly 1.3 million pay-per-view buys globally.
"Through the first quarter, we made important progress on our key strategic initiatives, developing our foundation for creating and distributing new content, and building on our tremendous brand strength, especially in social media. Looking ahead, we are confident that we will leverage the broad appeal of our content to transform our business and drive long-term earnings growth."
WWE grabs solid gains in first quarter - 4th May 2012...
Thursday was a good day to be in the wrestling game, but ugly for local companies reporting earnings for their utilities, information technology research, food distribution and insurance operations.
Shares in Stamford-based WWE Inc. surged 13.52 percent to $8.90 after the entertainment company reported net income topped $15.3 million, or 20 cents a share for the first quarter. For the same period a year ago, WWE earned $8.6 million, or 11 cents a share.
The mean expectation from analysts was 5 cents a share, according to Bloomberg News.
During a conference call with analysts, executives of WWE cited improved revenues from live events and lower losses from its movie business as key drivers for this quarter's success.
In past years, WWE's profits have been hampered by losses from movies it made, but the company said WWE Studio's net profit loss was $1 million in this quarter, compared with $3.6 million a year ago. Live events contributed $7.4 million in profits to the company. The company also reported strong growth of its digital platform, which contributed $2.1 million to its bottom line in the quarter.
"Our results were highlighted by the strong performance of our live events as we entered a new market in the Middle East," WWE chairman and Chief Executive Officer Vince McMahon said in a news release. "We are very pleased that our positive first-quarter execution continued in April with the successful staging of WrestleMania, which is expected to deliver nearly 1.3 million pay-per-view buys globally. Looking ahead, we are confident that we will leverage the broad appeal of our content to transform our business and drive long-term earnings growth."
WWE in ring for French film - 1st May 2012...
Dramedy 'Queen of the Ring' could be remade...
WWE Studios has partnered with Kare Prods. on the French dramedy "Les Reines du ring" (Queen of the Ring), which Warner Bros. Entertainment France will distribute.
Nathalie Baye, Andre Dussollier and Marilou Berry star in the film currently lensing under the direction of Jean-Marc Rudnicki.
Project revolves around a mother looking to strengthen her bond with her estranged son who is a WWE fan and trains to become one of WWE's female wrestlers, known as divas.
Film incorporates WWE trademarks, footage, consumer products and cameos by some of WWE's biggest stars, including CM Punk, the Miz and Eve, who recently shot their appearances for the film while on tour in France.
As part of its involvement, WWE Studios will receive an in-association credit on the pic and first-look rights to distribute the film in the U.S. and Canada. It also gets the rights to remake the film in English.
Thomas Langmann ("The Artist") is producing the film through his Paris-based La Petite Reine banner, with Antoine Rein and Fabrice Goldstein.
Other upcoming films for WWE Studios include the IM Global co-production "Dead Man Down," with Colin Farrell, Terrence Howard, Noomi Rapace and Dominic Cooper; the horror thriller "No One Lives," starring Luke Evans and WWE's Brodus Clay, which was co-produced with Pathe Films; cult hit "The Day," a pickup from the Toronto Intl. Film Festival that stars Dominic Monaghan, Shawn Ashmore and Ashley Bell; and "Barricade," with Eric McCormack. (Variety)
John Cena Talks Miz in Marine 3 - 5th May 2012...
IGN spoke with John Cena about never taking time off and The Miz taking over for Randy Orton in the third Marine installment.
Less than a week out from his brutal match with Brock Lesnar at Extreme Rules, I had a chance to talk briefly with John Cena about WWE storylines that make it seem like he's going to take some time off and the casting of The Miz as the lead in the upcoming third installment of the Marine movie franchise.
After his match with Lesnar last Sunday, and even a few years back during the Nexus storyline, it seemed like Cena was headed home for a break. But those breaks never happened and he was seen on TV the very next night or week. Is "the road" Cena's permanent home? "Yes," Cena said, "and I'm okay with that. It's certainly not a life for most people, and so when people look at you they think 'Well, how can he do that?' But if you commit to it and say this is where I am, then you can do it. And I'm just one of those folks that belongs on the road. It's where I truly feel safe. It's where I want to be. When I'm home I can only be there so long before I want to head back out. So that's me right now. As I get older I'm sure I'll want to slow down, but right now I wouldn't want to be in any other place." Cena also said that, while he never gets to spend a lot of time in the cities he visits, he prefers it that way. He likes the "fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants style."
"A guy had asked me today if I was interested in doing things like Expendables 2 and movies like that," Cena continued. "More action moves. And I said that it really comes down to how many tour dates I'd have to sacrifice. It would be really cool to make a lot more movies, but when they say you have to take six months off and miss all those events? That doesn't work for me. I really like being in, say, Huntsville tomorrow night. And then Knoxville after that. And then Chattanooga. Then Raleigh. It's how I plan my life now. I guess Red from Shawshank would say I'm institutionalized."
With Randy Orton dropping out of the third Marine film due to controversy, the WWE turned to The Miz to take over the lead role. I asked Cena what he thought of the casting. "You know what? I think it's going to be great," he said. "The franchise stands alone. I actually thought Ted DiBiase did a really good job in Marine 2. I know it was a straight to DVD movie but I thought, with their budget, they did as good, if not better, than what we did in the first Marine. And their budget was maybe twenty percent of ours. So I'm actually looking forward to seeing what Miz brings. You know Teddy was really good and being that subtle, All-American dude who, when it was called for, could blow everything up. Miz is not very subtle. So I'm actually very interested to see how it all works out. (IGN)
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WWE Wrestling Vince McMahon Sports Entertainment Entertainment Television
G'day Australian pro wrestling - sports entertainment fans. Here's your long awaited news report. There's new wrestling talent, the annual shareholder's meeting, WWE Network news and much more.
- The Rock posted a shout out to WWE’s corporate and production employees on Twitter this weekend:
“To all @WWE corporate & production employees: THANK YOU. #ThatsAll”
- As seen on Friday’s SmackDown, Antonio Cesaro made his WWE TV debut in a “tryout match” against Tyson Kidd. Cesaro was introduced by his new lady friend Aksana before the match. The stipulation was that if John Laurinaitis liked what he saw, he would offer Cesaro a contract. Cesaro defeated Kidd in about three minutes and WWE’s website indicates that he is now part of the SmackDown roster.
- As noted before, WWE held the annual shareholder’s meeting on Friday morning at WWE Headquarters in Stamford, CT. Here are some more highlights:
* A shareholder asked if it was time to drop the price of pay-per-views due to a drop in buyrates and Vince said no. Another shareholder asked about WWE offering all pay-per-view events as a package like other sports. Vince said it was a possibility but they have to see whether or not the PPV’s will be includes as a part of the WWE Network and if so, how that changes their plans.
* A shareholder asked if pay-per-view events would be shown on the Network. Vince said they were formulating that and it all depended on pricing.
* Announcements will be coming “very shortly” about the future of NXT and Superstars distribution. WWE has used the shows in contract negotiations for the Network. They have strategically held back on bringing the shows back to TV.
* Vince was asked about concern over WrestleMania 29 and the chance that it will be held in 40 degree with a possibility of now. Vince mentioned fans going to MLB and NFL events outdoors, dressing appropriately and said the same will happen at WrestleMania. He added that if it snows, it will be a lot of fun.
* WWE Classics On Demand will most likely be dropped when the Network launches.
* Regarding the Network launching, Vince admitted he did not have an answer but said an announcement is forthcoming. He said they are taking their time so they can keep options open.
- Here are some more highlights from WWE’s shareholders meeting on Friday morning from WWE headquarters in Stamford, CT:
* Triple H addressed the WWE developmental rumors and said the future has always been about making the best developmental territory possible. They are making plans to expand developmental but it’s doing what it’s designed to do – create and cultivate new talents.
* Vince McMahon said WWE content on TV will remain PG but movies will allow for content with stronger ratings. Vince talked about being proud of the Be A Star anti-bullying campaign. Vince said fighting bullying is something he really believes in and something that will be a huge initiative for WWE in the years to come.
* Vince was asked about a physical WWE Hall of Fame and said it’s still located in his head. Vince said they are not in a physical brick & mortar business but the entertainment business and added that Hall of Fames don’t make money usually. One day WWE will probably build something for the Hall of Fame but Vince said it needs to be in the right environment. (Credit: Pro Wrestling Torch, Wrestling Observer, WrestleZone, Wikipedia, WWE)
Vince McMahon comments on first quarter financial report...
WWE revealed its first quarter financial results on Thursday. The company reported revenues totaling 123.1 million compared to 119.9 million in the same quarter last year. Operating income is 16.0 million, up from 13.2 million in the prior year quarter.
“In the first quarter, EBITDA grew 19%, reflecting increased profits across all our businesses," Vince McMahon stated in a press release. "Our results were highlighted by the strong performance of our live events as we entered a new market in the Middle East. We are very pleased that our positive first quarter execution continued in April with the successful staging of WrestleMania, which is expected to deliver nearly 1.3 million pay-per-view buys globally.
"Through the first quarter, we made important progress on our key strategic initiatives, developing our foundation for creating and distributing new content, and building on our tremendous brand strength, especially in social media. Looking ahead, we are confident that we will leverage the broad appeal of our content to transform our business and drive long-term earnings growth."
WWE grabs solid gains in first quarter - 4th May 2012...
Thursday was a good day to be in the wrestling game, but ugly for local companies reporting earnings for their utilities, information technology research, food distribution and insurance operations.
Shares in Stamford-based WWE Inc. surged 13.52 percent to $8.90 after the entertainment company reported net income topped $15.3 million, or 20 cents a share for the first quarter. For the same period a year ago, WWE earned $8.6 million, or 11 cents a share.
The mean expectation from analysts was 5 cents a share, according to Bloomberg News.
During a conference call with analysts, executives of WWE cited improved revenues from live events and lower losses from its movie business as key drivers for this quarter's success.
In past years, WWE's profits have been hampered by losses from movies it made, but the company said WWE Studio's net profit loss was $1 million in this quarter, compared with $3.6 million a year ago. Live events contributed $7.4 million in profits to the company. The company also reported strong growth of its digital platform, which contributed $2.1 million to its bottom line in the quarter.
"Our results were highlighted by the strong performance of our live events as we entered a new market in the Middle East," WWE chairman and Chief Executive Officer Vince McMahon said in a news release. "We are very pleased that our positive first-quarter execution continued in April with the successful staging of WrestleMania, which is expected to deliver nearly 1.3 million pay-per-view buys globally. Looking ahead, we are confident that we will leverage the broad appeal of our content to transform our business and drive long-term earnings growth."
WWE in ring for French film - 1st May 2012...
Dramedy 'Queen of the Ring' could be remade...
WWE Studios has partnered with Kare Prods. on the French dramedy "Les Reines du ring" (Queen of the Ring), which Warner Bros. Entertainment France will distribute.
Nathalie Baye, Andre Dussollier and Marilou Berry star in the film currently lensing under the direction of Jean-Marc Rudnicki.
Project revolves around a mother looking to strengthen her bond with her estranged son who is a WWE fan and trains to become one of WWE's female wrestlers, known as divas.
Film incorporates WWE trademarks, footage, consumer products and cameos by some of WWE's biggest stars, including CM Punk, the Miz and Eve, who recently shot their appearances for the film while on tour in France.
As part of its involvement, WWE Studios will receive an in-association credit on the pic and first-look rights to distribute the film in the U.S. and Canada. It also gets the rights to remake the film in English.
Thomas Langmann ("The Artist") is producing the film through his Paris-based La Petite Reine banner, with Antoine Rein and Fabrice Goldstein.
Other upcoming films for WWE Studios include the IM Global co-production "Dead Man Down," with Colin Farrell, Terrence Howard, Noomi Rapace and Dominic Cooper; the horror thriller "No One Lives," starring Luke Evans and WWE's Brodus Clay, which was co-produced with Pathe Films; cult hit "The Day," a pickup from the Toronto Intl. Film Festival that stars Dominic Monaghan, Shawn Ashmore and Ashley Bell; and "Barricade," with Eric McCormack. (Variety)
John Cena Talks Miz in Marine 3 - 5th May 2012...
IGN spoke with John Cena about never taking time off and The Miz taking over for Randy Orton in the third Marine installment.
Less than a week out from his brutal match with Brock Lesnar at Extreme Rules, I had a chance to talk briefly with John Cena about WWE storylines that make it seem like he's going to take some time off and the casting of The Miz as the lead in the upcoming third installment of the Marine movie franchise.
After his match with Lesnar last Sunday, and even a few years back during the Nexus storyline, it seemed like Cena was headed home for a break. But those breaks never happened and he was seen on TV the very next night or week. Is "the road" Cena's permanent home? "Yes," Cena said, "and I'm okay with that. It's certainly not a life for most people, and so when people look at you they think 'Well, how can he do that?' But if you commit to it and say this is where I am, then you can do it. And I'm just one of those folks that belongs on the road. It's where I truly feel safe. It's where I want to be. When I'm home I can only be there so long before I want to head back out. So that's me right now. As I get older I'm sure I'll want to slow down, but right now I wouldn't want to be in any other place." Cena also said that, while he never gets to spend a lot of time in the cities he visits, he prefers it that way. He likes the "fly-by-the-seat-of-your-pants style."
"A guy had asked me today if I was interested in doing things like Expendables 2 and movies like that," Cena continued. "More action moves. And I said that it really comes down to how many tour dates I'd have to sacrifice. It would be really cool to make a lot more movies, but when they say you have to take six months off and miss all those events? That doesn't work for me. I really like being in, say, Huntsville tomorrow night. And then Knoxville after that. And then Chattanooga. Then Raleigh. It's how I plan my life now. I guess Red from Shawshank would say I'm institutionalized."
With Randy Orton dropping out of the third Marine film due to controversy, the WWE turned to The Miz to take over the lead role. I asked Cena what he thought of the casting. "You know what? I think it's going to be great," he said. "The franchise stands alone. I actually thought Ted DiBiase did a really good job in Marine 2. I know it was a straight to DVD movie but I thought, with their budget, they did as good, if not better, than what we did in the first Marine. And their budget was maybe twenty percent of ours. So I'm actually looking forward to seeing what Miz brings. You know Teddy was really good and being that subtle, All-American dude who, when it was called for, could blow everything up. Miz is not very subtle. So I'm actually very interested to see how it all works out. (IGN)
Websites
WWE official website
www.wwe.com
WWE Corporate website
http://corporate.wwe.com
Wrestling News Media
www.wrestlingnewsmedia.com
Australian Sports Entertainment
www.australiansportsentertainment.com
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