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Indeed, Both Marilyn Monroe & Diamonds are Forever
October 25, 2004
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Diamonds Indeed Are Forever.

Massively upping the ante in the categories of both Visual Effects and appreciable budget period nostalgic film looms 'Shooting Stars.'

Hoping to ride a massive 'Natural Media' exposure wave, due to Shooting Stars' brilliant billing top legends such as Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Bogart etc... in 'new and original' performances, jewelry and fashion designers are drooling. The fact that the legends will be acting and appearing to the audience with their A List counterparts of today, this is the stuff of collateral and viral tidal waves of free promotion for involved brands. Much the more effective and resonant than clunky and blatant 'Buy Another Day' Bond-esque product involvement.

The opportunity to dress, shoe and drape Marilyn and her co-stars in jewels
is proving irresistible. Two worldwide jeweler companies are already battling
to ensure each the others' jewels don't end up adorning the Icons.

"There are some well known "homage-type" shots in the film that will get a lot of publicity mileage", says Exec Producer, Clark Westerman. "Those that originally featured a well known brand, for example, a necklace from one Jeweler, its of interest to that jeweler to be in the re-creation...but fairly heady for a competitor
to "alter" history." At least with content like this there is deep logic to brand involvement.

What's it all about then?

Shooting Stars timing is excellent: Filmgoers are clambering for escapism from today's' ongoing global conflicts...and many content developers are skewing their product nicely retro. But, while Jude Law's recent 'Sky Captain' briefly dabbled in showcasing legend Sir Lawrence Olivier as the ultimate villain, Captain, in the end was a low tech, '30's homage' approach, less likely to garner the coveted 'everyone' audience'. And with The Discovery Channel presently airing 'de-rezzed and 'treated' 3-D models (nicely making them look as if the 3D models belong within old and scarred footage) of Hitler and Churchill for insertion in impressive documentaries, none are doing what Stars will be doing; making you believe that, on screen, Marilyn Monroe, James Dean, Bogart (and a bevy of other circa mid-fifties legends) Dlive again. Interacting indistinguishably with their A List counterparts of today. In clear high clarity shots. This is truly a milestone in film making.

The demo pieces we have exclusively been shown are breathtaking. If Shooting Stars' visual effects houses, presently Framestore (Harry Potter), Clear (Danny Boyles 28 Days Later and his upcoming 'Millionaires') and the newly renamed Senate Visual Effects Ltd., turn out the same...we are likely looking at awards considerations for this film. George Lucas' Skywalker Sound is also linked to Stars.

Musically, Westerman is in negotiations with Duran Duran's Nick Rhodes to do the films' score. "If he comes on I know it will be brilliant. Nick, gets what we're after...he's pretty busy with Durans' relaunch, but we'll see in a few weeks".

A spy action thriller shot 'like a modern Bourne Identity' featuring glam scenes in Cannes and the Monaco Grand Prix (replete with cameos from F1 drivers playing classic drivers), and featuring legends of regional and worldwide importance (Aliki Vouyouklaki for the Greek market, an Indian Legend and the like) Shooting Stars sounds like a recipe for heady worldwide box office to us.

Shooting Stars was written by Director/Writer Peter Hewitt and Phil Hughes (Thunderbirds, Garfield The Movie) and concieved by Westerman and Venetia Dimou.

It is scheduled to go into production this Spring. An official website will launch at www.ShootingStarsTheMovie.co.uk.

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