Fans in Pasadena, California: You are invited to an Illustrated Lecture by Matthew Gratzner, Co-founder, New Deal Studios, Inc.

Date: Tuesday, June 6, 7:30 p.m.
Location: Pasadena Museum of History, 470 W. Walnut St., Pasadena
Tickets: $20 general public; $15 museum members; $12 students (with i.d.)
Reservations recommended: 626-577-1660, ext. 10

Matthew Gratzner, co-founder of New Deal Studios, Inc., lets us in on the ways miniatures are used to create film magic in this lecture with film clips and models. Gratzner oversaw miniatures used in “The Aviator” and “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.”

Lecture presented in conjunction with the Museum’s current exhibit, “Tiny Perspectives: A History of Miniatures.” Galleries open at 6:30 p.m. for reception and exhibit viewing prior to lecture.

Additional information online at www.pasadenahistory.org

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302-2200-Christian Literature: The Chronicles of Narnia
Non-Credit Price:
$ 125.00

Course Description:
Christian Literature: The Chronicles of Narnia (Noncredit)
Online Seminar – June 5 – June 26, 2006

Are you a fan of C. S. Lewis’ series of books “The Chronicles of Narnia”? Or did you see the movie “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” or want to buy the DVD, but would like to go deeper into the moral and theological underpinnings of Lewis’ stories?

This three-week online interactive seminar will give you a chance to experience that magical world again. It will proceed through some readings focused on the book and film versions of “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe,” but will range over the rest of the Narnia series and some general considerations of Christian literature as a crucial component of our current cultural situation. In the online discussion, you will exchange insights with your instructor and other students. When you are finished with this seminar, you will read Lewis’ work and understand his theological position with lively appreciation for his skill as a story teller and as a voice of Christian wisdom.

General Information:

Seminar Tuition Schedule:
* Tuition: $125
* Catechists and Catholic School Teachers in the Diocese of Arlington: $100.00

To pay by credit card you may enroll online, or call CDU at 1-888-254-4CDU.

To pay by check, mail a completed Online Seminar Course Enrollment Form, along with your check (made payable to The Catholic Distance University) to:

The Chronicles of Narnia Seminar
The Catholic Distance University
120 East Colonial Highway
Hamilton, VA 20158

Participant Requirements:

Requirements for the seminar include:

* logging on to the Conference Site at least once a week to read the weekly keynote address
* reading excerpts that may be required by the Instructor
* posting an online response to the weekly reflection question
* submitting a one-page reflection paper within three weeks from the end of the Seminar for those who wish to receive Certification (1 CEU or 10 Clock Hours)

Minimum Time Requirement:

* 3 hours each week = 9 hours
* 1 hour for reflection paper for those who wish to receive Certification (1 CEU or 10 Clock Hours)

Seminar Certificate:

A Certificate of Completion awarding 1 CEU/10 clock hours will be sent upon completion of the three postings and the one page reflection paper. The certificate can be taken to your respective diocese for appropriate application toward certification. (note: students will be able to receive certification in Methods for this seminar)

[Learn more at CDU.edu]

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BMI honored the composers and songwriters of the music from the past year’s top-grossing films, top-rated prime-time network television series and highest-ranking cable network programs at its annual Film & Television Awards. Held May 17 at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel, the black-tie gala was hosted by BMI President & CEO Del Bryant and Film/TV Relations Vice President Doreen Ringer Ross, who handed out more than 100 BMI Crystals throughout the evening.

A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the BMI Richard Kirk Award for Outstanding Career Achievement to versatile film composer Harry Gregson-Williams. Named after late BMI Vice President Richard Kirk, the prestigious award is given annually to a composer who has made significant contributions to film and television music. Past honorees include Jerry Goldsmith, Mike Post, Thomas Newman, Michael Kamen, Mark Mothersbaugh, Lalo Schifrin, Danny Elfman, Alan Menken and John Williams.

One of Hollywood’s most sought-after composers, Harry Gregson-Williams has infused his unique musical talent into the scores of such diverse films as The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Man on Fire, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, Shrek, Shrek 2, Spy Game, Chicken Run, Kingdom of Heaven, Antz and Domino. The British-born Golden Globe nominee, who was named Composer of the Year at the 2005 Hollywood Film Festival, is currently working on the music to Shrek the Third and Déjà Vu.

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The Video Software Dealers Association (VSDA), a non-profit international trade association for the home entertainment industry, announced the nominees for the PlayStation 2, Xbox, and GameCube Game of the Year for its annual Home Entertainment Awards. The winners will be announced on July 11 during the VSDA’s Home Entertainment 2006 Awards Show at the Venetian Resort Hotel Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Although primarily focused on DVD video releases, the list of nominees also includes a total of 15 video games across the three major console platforms, including popular titles such as Halo 2 (apparently so popular that it won last year, and can be nominated again this year) and Madden NFL ‘06, the latter of which was nominated for all three consoles. No Xbox 360 category has yet been added to the awards, though it seems likely that next year’s awards will feature one.

Besides Halo 2 and the latest Madden iteration, other Xbox video games nominated for Game of the Year honors include Need for Speed Most Wanted, Star Wars: Battlefront II, and Ubisoft’s latest adventure in the life of Third Echelon’s Sam Fisher, Splinter Cell: Chaos Theory. PlayStation 2 nominees include the aforementioned Madden NFL ‘06, as well as Namco Bandai’s 3D fighting game Soul Caliber III, Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland, Star Wars: Battlefront II, and Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.

Titles nominated for the GameCube include Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch & the Wardrobe, Tony Hawk’s American Wasteland, Lego Star Wars: The Video Game, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, and the previously mentioned Madden NFL ‘06 from Electronic Arts.

The award categories and nominees were determined by VSDA’s Home Entertainment Awards Nominating Committee, comprised of retailers, distributors, and journalists. 130 nominations were submitted for awards in 26 categories, with committee members taking into consideration the rental and sales success of each title and the strength of the marketing campaign launched by the studio or distributing label of the title, both to consumers and to retailers.

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Library of Congress’s “Lifelong Literacy” campaign, using concept art and stills from the film alongside other works, is in full swing. See our previous story on this program, here.

Check out the pages below to also view a commercial featuring footage from the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe:

BANNER AD
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
LIFELONG LITERACY

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Walt Disney Pictures’ follow-up to Andrew Adamson’s blockbuster The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe has been pushed back from December 14, 2007 to summer 2008.

Disney has moved its “Narnia” sequel off the Christmas 2007 release schedule to summer 2008 to avoid competition with the similarly themed fantasy fable “The Water Horse.”

Tuesday’s move of “The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian” came hours after Columbia Pictures staked a claim on December 8, 2007 for “The Water Horse.” “Prince Caspian” had been slated for December 14, 2007.

Both epics are produced by Denver billionaire Philip Anschutz’s Walden Media and likely would have cannibalized one another. The perceived threat to its family audience during the lucrative holiday period was enough to make Disney blink.

“We’re going to movie ‘Prince Caspian’ to summer of ‘08,” said Dennis Rice, sr vp publicity at Walt Disney Studios. “Sony and Walden wanted to announce ‘Water Horse’ and the best we can do is move into summer which will open up the holiday frame that Walden wanted.”

Rice said the studio has yet to determine a solid date, but the date change gives director Andrew Adamson and his team of filmmakers more breathing room.

Adamson also directed the first film, “The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe,” which earned about $740 million at the worldwide box office.

In the second film installment of the fantasy epic written by C.S. Lewis, the Pevensey siblings find themselves on an island at a time when Narnia is ruled by the Wicked King Mirax. The Pevenseys ally themselves with the young Prince Caspian, and the mighty lion Aslan, in an effort to revive Narnia’s past and overthrow the evil king.

“The Water Horse” is the story of a young lonely Scottish boy who discovers a mysterious egg on the shore of a loch. The egg hatches and a mysterious creature – the mythical water horse, the sea monster of Scottish legend – emerges. As the monster grows, the boy has his hands full trying to hide the monster from people who don’t understand it and want to hurt it. Weta Digital and Weta Workshop will be creating the effects for the film. Based on the novel by Dick King Smith, it is directed by Jay Russell (”Ladder 49″).

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Walt Disney Pictures and Walden Media’s presentation THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE has become the number one top-selling DVD of 2006, it was announced today by Bob Chapek, president of Buena Vista Home Entertainment (BVHE). THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE was released on April 5 and has sold over 11 million units in route to claiming this year’s top DVD spot.

“We are delighted with the tremendous success of THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE DVD. This award-winning film is a stellar addition to the celebrated Disney collection and has set the tone for the next chapter in this promising franchise,” commented Bob Chapek.

Concurrently, with Narnia in the top DVD spot of 2006, BVHE holds five of the top 10 titles so far this year. THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE, Chicken Little, Lady and the Tramp, Flightplan, and Bambi II are all strongly positioned within the top 10 titles of 2006. “We are very fortunate to have such a strong line up of titles that appeals to every demographic. It is the backbone of what this studio has always been known for,” Chapek added.

THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE is available as a single disc DVD with outstanding bonus features, and as a Special 2-Disc Collector’s Edition DVD. The Special Edition takes viewers on a deeper adventure into the world of Narnia with nearly ten hours of bonus features — including a behind-the-scenes tour with the film’s child stars, director’s diary, ‘cinematic storytellers’ film diaries, multiple audio commentaries, 3-D map, interactive timeline, featurettes on the creatures and much more.

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Daniel Swann got the chance to meet both Richard Taylor and Patrick Kake at Supernova, earlier this year. Here, finally, is a video of the interviews. Richard Taylor’s is more of a comment than anything else, but the Patrick Kake segment is pretty great, and he does mention NarniaFans.com in it!

Thank you, Daniel, for providing the videos. Sorry about the sound unaligning itself. It took a long time to get this up, because Google Video has to verify the videos.

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NarniaFans Moderator ~Rogue~ has been in touch with Pippa Hall, who did the casting on The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, for some time now. Pippa Hall has just been attached to Prince Caspian and has announced that casting for Caspian will not happen until later in the year. Also, the role of Caspian himself has not yet been cast.

Stay tuned to Narnia Fans for casting news direct from ~Rogue~, via Pippa Hall.

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The C.S. Lewis Foundation, which has sponsored “C.S. Lewis Summer Institute” conferences in Oxford and Cambridge, England, since 1988, is “crossing the pond” for the first time this summer with a conference at Williams College (MA), themed Love Among the Ruins: On the Renewal of Character and Culture.

The 10-day event (July 7-16, 2006) will feature internationally-recognized authors, artists, and academics such as Joseph Pearce, Malcolm Guite, Dick Staub, Armand Nicholi, James-Emery White, and many more. The conference schedule also includes a trip to see the Boston Symphony perform at the nearby Tanglewood outdoor theater, and numerous other arts performances, lectures, seminars and workshops.

For more information or to register, visit the conference website, call toll-free at 1-888-CSLEWIS, or email registrar@cslewis.org.

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