Elton John And Premier McGuinty Share Double Bill At Complex Expansion
VIDEO:
http://eltonjohnvideonews.vila.bol.com.br/
Tuesday May 26, 2009
CityNews.ca Staff
It's not exactly the pairing you'd expect on a double bill - Premier Dalton
McGuinty and - Elton John?
But there they were together on Tuesday, presiding over the expansion of an
animation complex in Toronto, a spot the government hopes will bring new show
business into the city.
The Starz Animation Complex is located at
230 Richmond St. W. but its audience is worldwide. It turns out McGuinty
is a huge fan of the pop star, who happens to be in town as producer for an
upcoming film called "Gnomeo and Juliet" and playing a gig at the ACC.
When the Premier called him, he might have been surprised to hear one of
his idols agree to meet with him at the ceremony. McGuinty may have come
bearing provincial money - some $23 million - but it was Elton they really
came to see.
While he never uttered a note, he did sing the praises of the complex and
Canada's place in the showbiz universe. "Canada is a hotbed of talent ...
There's been so many incredible actors, musicians, dancers and song writers,
God knows what, that have come out of Canada," John gushes. "And that had to
go away out of Canada to become successful on a bigger basis, on a worldly
basis.
"By enlarging this studio and having an excellent facility like this, a
school for excellence with animation, you'll find ... that people will be
coming back to Canada. And it will be great that Canada ... [and] Ontario will
have a centre of animation that people don't have to leave the country for and
they can be justly proud of what is going on in their own city and in their
own state."
See the singer In The Raw below
McGuinty admits he feels a special kinship with the singer. "Goodbye Yellow
Brick Road. That was a monster for more reasons than just one. That was the
first gift that I gave to a girl at high school that I really liked. And it
worked. We dated for seven years -and we've been married for 28."
It's the not the first time a politician has tried to spruce up a staid
image with the shine of a celebrity. U2's Bono promised then-Prime Minister
Paul Martin he would be a "pain in your ass" if he didn't keep his commitments
on aid to Africa.
And Beyonce was just one of the great voices that helped sell the sizzle at
U.S. President Barack Obama's inauguration ball earlier this year.
Will Elton's glow rub off on McGuinty? Well for now, at least, both can
claim "I'm Still Standing." And in the cut-throat world of politics, like the
music business, that may be good enough.
For more on the Starz Animation Complex,
click here.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Life and... Elton John?
http://dirtheadtheology.blogspot.com/2009/05/life-and-elton-john.html
You know, life is funny sometimes, isn't it? There are times that are deathly
serious; times which defy humor. Other times, we are caught unawares by a
silly moment. I suppose it is under this auspice that I follow up such a
heartfelt entry with one that is more light-hearted.
I was feeling particularly nostalgic, so I decided to do a couple of searches
on YouTube. Some times, I search for events which I remember from years gone
by... I can't always say why I do this exactly, except that maybe I am trying
to recapture something (hence the nostalgia). At times, I look for speeches,
newscasts, songs, videos, movie clips... just to dive into the past. Maybe,
in the great tradition of all humanity, I am trying to make some sense of my
experiences through reliving them somehow.
This said, I came across some Elton John videos on the 'Tube. Yes, back in
the day, I was quite the Elton John fan. Of my CD collection, a very large
portion consisted of Elton's works. The songwriting (especially when our man
Reg teamed up with his pal Bernie), and, of course, the terrific voice coupled
to produce some of my favorite songs. Even after ten years or more of not
hearing them, I found myself singing along step for step. Yes, I sang with
Elton. I am comfortable admitting that.
One of my favorite albums was "Captain Fantastic and the Brown Dirt Cowboy." This
title track, shortened, was my computer password for 4 years... I literally
hummed it to myself nearly every time I logged on. The story of Sir Elton's
friendship with Bernie Taupin, it is a fun song with a certain defiant tone.
The final track, "Curtains," is still one of my favorite songs of all time.
It is so beautiful and wistful. It draws us back through time, to young love,
to emotion so pure that it is almost embarrassing in the cynical eyes of
adulthood. I hadn't heard this in... about 10 years, and picked it right up.
"A once upon a time..."
In fact, what really stunned me about "Curtains" was that the alternative/grunge
band Alice In Chains did a cover of it! Whoa. It was actually pretty good.
But I will tell you this... if you have never heard the Live in Australia
album, wherein Elton performs with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (1986)...
well, I just don't know what to tell you about that. Your heart is cold. It
is marvelous. Terrific. Ya oughta give it a listen.
I am really not kidding about this. Out of all the CD's I have ever heard, in
any genre, it may well be my favorite album. It is pretty "wow" stuff. The
songs themselves are great. The symphony is amazing. Elton brings it.
Just look at the song list. "60 years on" recounts an aged soldier... a
veteran of a terrible war, looking at the end of his life in despair. "I need
you to turn to" may be one of the most amazing love songs of modern music, but
it gets little press. Speaking of quintessential love songs, this rendition
of "Your Song" is marvelous. His voice has that sincere gravelly sound to
it... with an orchestra behind it.
"Tonight," the song of a broken hearted lover, is a masterpiece. It tells of
a man trying to reach out to a bitter lover, looking for peace and
reconciliation. A man desperate for some sign that this love may be healed.
I don't know exactly why, but the love songs that bespeak of hardship or long
suffering seem more true somehow. "Sorry seems to be the hardest word"
follows this same vein.
In his introduction to "The Greatest Discovery," Elton tells us that the
lyrics to this song are among his favorites. As we "watch" a little boy
meeting his new baby brother for the first time, we marvel along with him. It
is beautiful.
These are not the only songs on this particular album... but this gives a
taste. The album runs the gamut of emotion... sorrow, joy, alienation,
despair, hope, love, foreboding, whimsy... it's there. Of course, it is all
performed by one of our generation's best singer-songwriters... did I mention
that he performs with an orchestra?
Why share this exactly? Maybe I wanted to see how many friends I have that
will actually still be talking to me after I admit how much I like Elton John!
I dunno. I just know that this album almost always takes my breath away when
I hear it. I find myself singing along and even shedding a tear... it is
rich stuff.
Maybe that's just how life is.
Ontario boosting Starz Animation
Aim is to create and retain local jobs
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/content_display/world/news/e3i9ba0bc99fcd0242c262cc050e86b26c0
By Etan Vlessing
May 26, 2009, 04:49 PM ET
|
TORONTO -- The Ontario provincial government said Tuesday that it will
pour CAN$23 million ($20.5 million) into the Starz Animation Toronto 3-D
cartoon studio over the next five years to create and retain local high-tech
jobs.
As part of its agreement with the Ontario government, Starz Animation
Toronto, which opened in 2007 as a division of Burbank-based Starz Media, is
to invest another CAN$130 million ($116 million) in the Toronto animation
studio, also over five years.
The first project from the expanded 3-D animation facility is the Miramax
Films animated feature "Gnomeo & Juliet," a spoof on Shakespeare's "Romeo
and Juliet," to be produced by Elton John's production shingle, Rocket
Pictures. The animated film will feature lovestruck computer-generated
garden gnomes and music and lyrics by John and his songwriting partner
Bernie Taupin.
John and Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty were on hand at Starz Animation
Studio in Toronto to make the announcement.
The cash injection from the province is the latest government investment in
local studio work.
The city of Toronto in April acquired a 20% stake in the Toronto's Filmport
as part of an ownership restructuring that will see Britain's Pinewood
Studios Group manage the film studio.
And Disney/Pixar said this month that it will
open a new animation studio in Vancouver in the fall with the help of
generous tax credits and other financial inducements from the British
Columbia provincial government.
Ontario boosting Starz Animation
Aim is to create and retain local jobs
By Etan Vlessing
May 26, 2009, 04:49 PM ET
TORONTO -- The Ontario provincial government said Tuesday that it will
pour CAN$23 million ($20.5 million) into the Starz Animation Toronto 3-D
cartoon studio over the next five years to create and retain local
high-tech jobs.
As part of its agreement with the Ontario government, Starz Animation
Toronto, which opened in 2007 as a division of Burbank-based Starz Media,
is to invest another CAN$130 million ($116 million) in the Toronto
animation studio, also over five years.
The first project from the expanded 3-D animation facility is the Miramax
Films animated feature "Gnomeo & Juliet," a spoof on Shakespeare's "Romeo
and Juliet," to be produced by Elton John's production shingle, Rocket
Pictures. The animated film will feature lovestruck computer-generated
garden gnomes and music and lyrics by John and his songwriting partner
Bernie Taupin.
John and Ontario premier Dalton McGuinty were on hand at Starz Animation
Studio in Toronto to make the announcement.
The cash injection from the province is the latest government investment
in local studio work.
The city of Toronto in April acquired a 20% stake in the Toronto's
Filmport as part of an ownership restructuring that will see Britain's
Pinewood Studios Group manage the film studio.
And Disney/Pixar said this month that it will
open a new animation studio in Vancouver in the fall with the help of
generous tax credits and other financial inducements from the British
Columbia provincial government.
Visit from Elton John, $23M funding boost for Toronto 3D studio
http://daryllorette.blogspot.com/2009/05/visit-from-elton-john-23m-funding-boost.html
The crew at Starz Animation Toronto had a brush with celebrity and received
a financial boost Tuesday, with new collaborator Elton John dropping in for a
visit and Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty pledging an investment of $23
million to the growing
company.
"Starz is helping make Ontario a hotbed of innovation," McGuinty said during a
gathering at the 3D animation house for the funding announcement.
"It's is amazing what's possible when you get the ingredients right," said
David Steinberg, who is head of the Starz Toronto studio, a veteran animation
producer and artist as well as a children's author.
"This is a recipe, truly, for something great and we've only just begun."
Starz Toronto, which the international parent company opened in 2007, has been
adding major movie, TV and advertising projects to its growing list of credits
— including being enlisted by John and partner David Furnish to animate their
forthcoming Miramax film Gnomeo & Juliet.
Professional food artist, Prudence Staite,
created these edible likenesses using just cheese, tomato and other favourite
toppings.
Bon appetit!
A serving of Gordon Brown comes with
a more convincing smile than the You Tube Version.
Victoria Bacon's recipe started off
with a bit of spice but you have to like your Posh pizza very thin and
crispy
Mouthwatering Marilyn Monroe: This is
generously endowed number is a favourite with male customers.
The King became a bit fatty after the Hawaiian Style
Sir Elton
John: This one was very thin on topping for a while but restored after a few
hits.
The Queen: Pizza royale is one firm favourite - starting with
Coronation chicken.
Camilla: Tastes slightly horsey,
Capricciosa Parker Bowles is perfect for royal customers who like capers
Lady Thatcher: The strongest Magherita.
Contains iron. And you can be sure those earrings aren't government leeks.
Tony Blair: Pepperoni Tony became
Prime Mozzarella but has not been dropped from the menu
London mayor: Firm upper crust, can be
a bit of a pesto but voted No 1 in London, Bozzarella Johnson.
Ann Widdecombe: Can be rather peppery,
made with extra virgin olive oil and a Tory favourite
This comes in big, big portions. You won't have mushroom for anything else
after a helping of Brian Blessed.
Chicago-style winner and flavour of the month all around the world - everyone
wants a slice of Barack Obama
Fresh from the Eggs Factor it's a plate of
Simon Cowell: Britain's got topping and plenty of cheese
Immortalised: An image of Susan Boyle
has been created in a pizza
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