Enjoying Wonderful World: TV Series

Showing posts with label TV Series. Show all posts

July 20, 2018

First Filipino Anime Series “BARANGAY 143″ to Air in GMA 7

Barangay 143, the first-ever Filipino-themed and all-Filipino made Anime TV series will go on air on GMA 7 nationwide starting this October as announced by Synergy88 Entertainment Media Inc. during the grand media launch held at the Elements at Centris, Quezon City on July 17, 2018.

The announcement was made today by Jyotirmoy Saha, CEO of August Media Holdings; Jackeline Chua, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Synergy88 Entertainment Media Inc. and Takahiro Kishimoto, Head of Animation, International Business Department of TV Asahi.

Barangay 143 as the series is known as the first-ever Filipino Anime series. Co-produced between Synergy88, TV Asahi (Japan) and August Media Holdings (Singapore), Barangay 143 will feature a glittering celebrity cast including Cherie Gil, Sylvia Sanchez, and John Arcilla and millennial heartthrobs, Julie Anne San Jose, Kelley Day, Migo Adacer, and Ruru Madrid.

Barangay 143 is a feel-good coming of age story of a young Korean boy whose search for his father brings him to the Philippines. Lost and desperate for answers, is here in this foreign land that he finds an unlikely family in a team of misfits whose only ambition is to bring glory to their hometown. It’s a story about love and family set against the action-packed world of street basketball, where the stakes are always high and life the biggest game you can win.

“Philippines has a vibrant TV and film industry with a rich culture of storytelling. Right from the onset we were determined develop the show right here so that it captures the essence of life in Manila. I am immensely proud of what we have finally created in Barangay 143”, said Jyotirmoy Saha, CEO, August Media Holdings Fans can enjoy Barangay 143 not just as a TV Series but digitally, in print and as consumer products.

The Barangay 143 Street League mobile game is already available on the Google Play Store for Android and the iOS App Store. The narrative story within the mobile game leads to the suspense and drama that drives the story for the upcoming TV Series.

”Within the series, the comic strip and even the game we have tried to capture the real-life experiences of the Philippines through the art and the sounds,” said Jackeline Chua, Managing Director and Co-Founder of Synergy88 Digital. “With Barangay 143 Street League we also created a unique experience that helps players compete with friends in cyberspace but get their wins rewarded in the real world.”

Set against the backdrop of gritty Tondo, the series also features original music from a whole host of celebrity Filipino singers and musicians. The series is painstakingly designed and produced here in Manila with the help crew from across Japan, South Korea, USA. Malaysia and Singapore.

”When we first came across Barangay 143 during its development phase, it seemed like a natural choice for us to be a part of. We hope that Japanese creativity will bring light into the Filipino story and characters to life.”, said Takahiro Kishimoto, Head of Animation at International Business Department of TV Asahi.

Leading up to the start of the broadcast, fans will be treated to a series on Barangay 143 themed concerts featuring music stars like Gloc-9, Shanti Dope, Julie Ann San Jose and more. We expect to also treat our audiences with many other “GMA has always been known to support anything that champions Filipino talent and promotes our culture. We are immensely proud to be the network carrying the first Filipino anime drama series,” said Joev Abacan, First Vice President. Program Management at GMA.

photo by Elinkterest

Executive Producers of the TV Series have mentioned that they are committed to develop the property further and are already contemplating more content surrounding Barangay 143 the brand.

June 15, 2018

Boy R. Abunda Talk Series (BRATS) Officially Launched

The Boy R. Abunda Talk Series (BRATS) was officially launched last June 8 at Artist Playground, Arts Above, 112 West Avenue, Quezon City (Penthouse, BIR Building).

Boy Abunda

BRATS is an 8-minute onstage talk with a speaker and an audience. The speaker takes centerstage to share real and empowering personal stories. BRATS takes inspiration from inspiring talks and talk series around the world like Ted Talks, the Gel Conference, Ignite, PopTech, Big Think, etc. Boy previously delivered an interesting and provocative speech titled Why Can’t We Have a Gay President? for Ted ADMU.

In his BRATS opening remarks, Boy emphasized the need for people to talk to each other.

“We need to touch each other’s lives. We need to listen to each other. We are in a wired generation. One of our goals is to go back to the basics. To enjoy laughter, aspirations, and conversations. And it should be experienced live.”

“We are hoping that BRATS becomes a celebration of life where ideas merge with inspiration and passion. We would like to be able to tackle issues that deal with the physical, the intellectual, and the spiritual journey that a person takes when moving from pain to wisdom, from being wrong to becoming right, from being a victim to becoming a victor, from being a failure to becoming a success, and from being a bigshit to becoming a bigshot,” he added.

BRATS encourages people to tell their stories, to share, to listen, and to open their hearts. “We want to remind people that you can tell your stories, inspire and empower, and you don’t need to ask anybody’s permission to do good,” Boy said.

BRATS Speakers- (From left to right) Almed Garcia, Santy Layno, John Ace Hernandez, Atty. Kathy Merza

The four speakers who shared their personal stories were Atty. Kathy Merza, Santy Layno, Almed Garcia, and John Ace Hernandez.

Atty. Kathy did not give up after failing the bar examination twice. The failure became a renewal of faith for her. She enumerated some valuable lessons during her talk:

1. There’s no shortcut to success.
2. Accept your shortcomings.
3. Start fresh.
4. Go out of your comfort zone.
5. Pray hard 6. Never stop trying.

Santy Layno talked about her life as a transgender woman and sex worker. Santy, now a proud LGBT advocate, explained the joys and hardships of being a sex worker. She also defined what a prostitute is, as opposed to a sex worker. “A prostitute is a victim while being a sex worker is a choice. I refused to be a victim.” She displayed courage which she defined as “telling your story with all your heart.”

Almed spoke about breaking the stereotypes of women as dictated by society and shared her life’s experiences.

Ace is a proud gay daddy of three biological daughters. He talked about raising his daughters: one is a graduate in Psychology, another finished Medical Technology while the youngest is a Grade 11 student at La Salle. Ace who is now separated from his wife added, “Mahirap na masarap maging magulang. Kapag magulang, hindi mo iisipin ang sarili mo. Para sa anak mo lang.”

Boy synthesized the talks at the end.

“From Kathy, it’s nice to get out of your comfort zone and get a new perspective. When you have limited time, use it properly. Santy, thank you for teaching me what courage is all about and what’s the difference between a prostitute and a sex worker. With Almed, there is no law that a woman cannot give flowers to a man and what a wonderful experience it is to have a father who says ‘umuwi ka’ whatever happens outside of home. With Ace, we can’t go wrong if we embrace the truth.”

Boy promised that BRATS will continue, “For as long as you’re willing to listen. For as long as you’re willing to tell your stories, we will be here. We want to go to schools, to companies, to organizations, and to the provinces. We will organize BRATS for you. Magkukuwentuhan tayo.”

The main coordinators of BRATS are Ms. Bemz Benedito and Mr. Ruffy Hirang.

For more info, please contact Ms. Bemz Benedito at 0917-9984584 and email address bemzbenedito@gmail.com

June 4, 2018

Blue Ant Media goes on deck with PIRATES and MERMAIDS this June

Blue Ant Entertainment, the exclusive pay TV broadcaster of Siren across multiple territories in Asia, is set to make a splash with new shows and blockbuster movies this June!

All hands on deck as Blue Ant Entertainment brings out mermaids and pirates with American drama Siren premiering on 4 June, and the four classic Pirates of the Caribbean movies as part of a new weekly movie block in the same month.

From depths unknown

©Freeform

Legend has it that coastal town Bristol Cove on the Pacific Northwest was once home to mermaids. Folklore proves more than fiction when a mysterious young woman who calls herself Ryn (Eline Powell) suddenly appears one night. The strange visitor soon catches the interests of local marine biologist Ben Pownell (Alex Roe). Together, along with Ben’s fellow marine biologist Maddie Bishop (Fola Evans-Akingbola), deep-sea fisherman Xander McClure (Ian Verdun), town eccentric and folklore expert Helen Hawkins (Rena Owen), and another mysterious woman who calls herself Donna (Sibongile Mlambo) unravel tensions between the denizens of land and sea as predatory mermaids seek to claim their birthright. Catch the two-hour special premiere of Siren on Monday, 4 June, at 9:45 P.M. (8:45 P.M. JKT/BKK) first and exclusive on Blue Ant Entertainment.

Siren has reached over 4 million views since its premiere in the U.S. alone, and has been well received by audience and critics alike. American digital media and entertainment company for women, Refinery29, describes Siren as “gripping and original,” while one of Florida’s largest newspapers, Tampa Bay Times, says that the show is “worth the deep dive in.” Cinemablend, the Internet’s go-to source of entertainment news, praises Powell as “a standout as Ryn,” and television news source website TV Fanatic says that “Siren is what television has been missing.”

Shiver me timbers

Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise follows the adventures of the eccentric Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) involving magical treasures, supernatural creatures, former lovers, and even pirate mutiny. InPirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, the governor’s daughter, Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), has been captured by Hector Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), Jack’s traitorous former first mate who captains the cursed Black Pearl. Together with Elizabeth’s lover, William Turner (Orlando Bloom), Jack sets sail to save the damsel in distress and reclaim what the mutinous Barbossa has stolen from him.

The first four movies of the franchise (Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl; Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest; Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End; and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides) will air all Thursdays of June on Blue Ant Entertainment.

Love and the big screen

FIRST DATES © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc

There’s a lot more to look forward to this summer on Blue Ant Entertainment. Romance is in the air as complete strangers meet for the first time over lovely dinner on reality show First Dates every Tuesday at 8:50 P.M. (7:50 P.M. JKT/BKK). First Dates has instantly become a hit in the Philippines two weeks from its launch and has doubled Blue Ant Entertainment’s weekday 8:50 P.M. time slot average compared to the previous two weeks. This is based on data released by Kantar Media.

The big screen is also coming to the network’s international channels, Blue Ant Entertainment and Blue Ant Extreme. The channels will soon carry box office classics from NBCUniversal and Disney to cater to a wider audience in the region.

To learn more about Blue Ant Entertainment’s exciting programs and movie lineup, follow the channel atwww.facebook.com/BlueAntEntertainment/, @BlueAntEnt on Twitter, and @BlueAntEntertainment on Instagram.

May 28, 2018

Blue Ant Media goes on deck with PIRATES and MERMAIDS this summer

Blue Ant Entertainment, the exclusive pay TV broadcaster of Siren across multiple territories in Asia, is set to make a splash with new shows and blockbuster movies this June!

From depths unknown

©Freeform

Shiver me timbers

Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean franchise follows the adventures of the eccentric Captain Jack Sparrow (Johnny Depp) involving magical treasures, supernatural creatures, former lovers, and even pirate mutiny. In Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl, the governor’s daughter, Elizabeth Swann (Keira Knightley), has been captured by Hector Barbossa (Geoffrey Rush), Jack’s traitorous former first mate who captains the cursed Black Pearl. Together with Elizabeth’s lover, William Turner (Orlando Bloom), Jack sets sail to save the damsel in distress and reclaim what the mutinous Barbossa has stolen from him.

Love and the big screen

FIRST DATES © Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc

To learn more about Blue Ant Entertainment’s exciting programs and movie lineup, follow the channel at www.facebook.com/BlueAntEntertainment/, @BlueAntEnt on Twitter, and @BlueAntEntertainment on Instagram.

May 14, 2018

‘Lost in Space’ on Netflix

The Netflix reimagining of “Lost In Space’ is now unleashed on the world. This updated version is brilliant for anyone who loves good science fiction. In this reboot of the 1960s sci-fi series , the Robinsons family is launched into space to colonize the only other habitable planet in the galaxy.

I’m really starting to like a lot of the Netflix originals and this is one of the best '60s classic’ series!

As in the original series, one feels a strong sense of family bonding. Now, the adventure never stops as each character faces perils along the way. The Robinson family is lost in space again.

With Molly Parker, Toby Stephens, Parker Posey, Taylor Russell, Mina Sundwall, Max Jenkins, Ignacio Serricchio, at the Netflix Original ‘Lost in Space’, the Robinson family fights against all odds to survive and escape after crash-landing on an alien planet even they're surrounded by hidden dangers.

On the way to a space colony, a crisis sends the Robinsons hurtling toward an unfamiliar planet, where they struggle to survive a harrowing night.

Another crash brings more travelers to the planet as the Robinsons work to salvage their ship with help from their mysterious new companion.

To watch “Lost in Space” and more shows like “Santa Clarita” , “A Series of Unfortunate Events” and more, go to the leading subscription service for watching TV episodes and movies - Netflix with Globe through the following:

BROADBAND - Get a free 6-month subscription to Netflix with Plan 1299 and up.

POSTPAID - Subscribe to Netflix using your Postpaid plan and register to GoWATCH 399 to get more data for watching popular series and films.

PREPAID - Subscribe to Netflix by availing of GoWATCH for as low as 99 with 2GB of data to watch Netflix .

April 24, 2017

PERSUASION’S TOUGH BUT BEAUTIFUL ART Wining the mind game of influence takes more than mere logic

“Speech is a powerful master and achieves the most divine feats with the smallest and least evident body. It can stop fear, relieve pain, create joy, and increase pity.”

Such were the words of Greek sophist Gorgias who once taught the art of rhetoric and oration more than two thousand years ago. These words continue to ring true as our society becomes more polarized from politics to religion, and even science.

Today, it would take superb rhetorical skills to get people to consider your side of the argument. However, having a good grasp of logic and argumentation is not enough to win the crowd.

Many experts agree that underlying psychological factors play a key role in persuasion. This means that, on top of delivering your piece as factually and logically as possible, you also need to tap into the emotions and values of your listeners to gain their favor.

Psychology of persuasion

Dr. Robert Cialdini, Regents’ Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Marketing at Arizona State University, delves deeper into the psychology of persuasion in his book Influence: Science and Practice.

The book begins with the premise that people fall back to generalizations when making decisions to save time and effort in the face of information overload. Despite being given little thought, these generalizations form because they help people act in a more or less correct way.

Through numerous empirical studies, Dr. Cialdini identifies several principles behind this tendency. One of these is likability, which can be based on a person’s physical attractiveness or the compliments he or she gives. Even random similarities, such as having a similar-sounding name, can shape someone’s preference for another.

In another book co-authored by Dr. Cialdini titled Yes! 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be More Persuasive, an experiment by social researcher Randy Garner revealed that people respond better to those with names that sound similar to theirs.

The experiment involved two groups of participants. The first received a survey by mail from someone with a similar-sounding name. An example of this would be participant Robert Greer getting the survey from a ‘Bob Gregar’. The second received the same survey, but from someone with a non-similar name.

Of the first group, 56 percent completed and returned the form—almost twice as much as the second group where only 30 percent responded.

This and similar instances prove a point for Dr. Cialdini: People are more receptive to those who share characteristics with them whether in terms of looks, name, beliefs, school, hometown, and the like. Persuading them to your side, then, becomes a matter of exploiting this behavior.

A matter of justice

Dr. Cialdini’s insights may be meant for salespeople and advertisers, but playing the psychology game applies just the same in more serious situations, such as the courtroom.

Like all human beings, jurors are susceptible to influence. While the jury is sworn under oath to remain fair and impartial, it can be swayed based on the members’ shared values with the parties at court, or their disposition at the time of trial.

The way these unspoken biases are exploited is best exemplified by television show Bull. From facial expressions and hand gestures to the choice of clothes, protagonist Dr. Jason Bull (Michael Weatherly) understands that non-verbal language can be used to take advantage of unspoken preferences and values.

With his team at Trial Analysis Corporation (TAC), Dr. Bull does an extensive research on the jury involved in his client’s case and uses this knowledge to gain an edge. In the episode “The Fall,” for instance, his client managed to win the favor of an animal activist among the jurors by tricking the opponent to bring out his keychain during questioning. The keychain turned out to have a genuine rabbit foot charm—a seemingly insignificant item that would cost him the trial.

In another episode titled “E.J.,” Dr. Bull and his team won the jury by getting their client to sympathize with the opponent. By making the client come to her opponent’s defense, she appeared more likeable to the jurors.

As the season finale approaches, will TAC still have enough psychological tricks left up its sleeves to win the case and save the day? Catch Bull every Wednesday, 9:00PM, first and exclusive on RTL CBS Entertainment.

March 19, 2017

Aiko Melendez In Her Acting Best in Wildflower

Award winning actress Aiko Melendez now plays as the villain, the politically powerful, cruel character Emilia Ardiente-Torillo in the ABS-CBN revenge drama Wildflower, directed by Onat Diaz, starring Maja Salvador.

Aiko prays that her character, the politically powerful Emilia Ardiente-Torillo, who doesn’t mind committing bloody murder to protect the family reputation, stays on the set.

Aiko Melendez

Aiko who is a mother of two beautiful kids, Andrei and Marthena says, she snaps out of her character the moment the director shouts "cut."

She prays before and after facing the camera?

“I am Christian, so I always pray, ‘Lord, role lang po ito. Make me effective without sacrificing my real being and attitude,” she says.

And because she knows the lead character is just as good as the villain, Aiko not only gives her all. She loves getting “meaner” by the day.

She also knows that Maja Salvador’s (the lead female protagonist/antagonist Lily Cruz) fans are cursing her on Twitter.

“As the villain, I’m expecting the worst,” she laughs. And she loves getting meaner by the day.

That means Aiko is playing her cruel character very well.

Aiko knows her character inside out. What she discovered about Emilia moved her to pity.

Emilia according to Aiko is a victim of circumstances, a woman pushed to the wall because of things beyond her control.

“I understand where her attitude is coming from,” Aiko says.

"I love my Wildflower team." Aiko is all praises for her co-actors. She admires how Maja attacks her role and her dedication to her job.

“Working with her makes me so excited. She’s the best in her generation. Maja delivers, and her acting nuances are great!” gushes Aiko.

She shared to us that they are doing the production, shootings everyday to offer the daily episode of the Wildflower series.

Wildflower airs right after Minute to Win It on ABS CBN.

November 17, 2016

Are You Ready? FOX Networks Group’s National Geographic Channel Presents Living on MARS in 2033

Manila, Philippines – FOX Networks Group’s National Geographic Channel redefines television storytelling with new thought-provoking six-part series of MARS, premiered in the Philippines on Sunday, November 13 at 9:00PM.

A brand-defining series for National Geographic Channel, MARS tells the story of mankind’s thrilling quest to colonize the Red Planet.

Merging science and science fiction to depict the inevitable future, this global television event redefines on-air storytelling by combining film-quality scripted drama and visual effects with a powerful documentary interviewing some of the best and brightest minds in modern science and innovation, including Elon Musk.

MARS: Created by Hollywood Award-Winning Directors and Actors

MARS is the work of Academy Award-winning and Emmy-winning producers Brian Grazer, Ron Howard and Michael Rosenberg of Imagine Entertainment; and Academy Award-nominated and Emmy-winning producer Justin Wilkes and Dave O’Connor of Radical Media.

The show’s stars include South Korean-born singer, composer, and multimedia artist JiHAE, playing Mission Pilot Hana Seung; and Ben Cotton, known for sci-fi productions ranging from Battlestar Galactica: Blood & Chrome to The Chronicles of Riddick, who takes on the role of American Mission Commander Ben Sawyer.

Jude Turcuato SVP, General Manager - Fox Networks Group during the MARS mini series media launch and briefing on making MARS Home held at the Abe Serendra, November 16, 2016.

Making MARS Home

The scripted portion of MARS follows a crew of six fictitious astronauts in the year 2033 as they travel to Mars aboard the spacecraft Daedalus – Earth’s first-ever crewed mission to the Red Planet. The mission is funded by international partnerships and corporations, working together to get this once-in-a-lifetime voyage off the ground. When the uniquely qualified Daedalus crew arrive on Mars, they explore astounding wonders and grapple with unexpected challenges as they work to set up humanity’s first colony on the Distant Planet.

Bridging the space between science and science fiction, MARS also showcases an unprecedented collection of interviews with the world’s leading scientific minds. As the fictional story of the Daedalus crew unfolds, television audiences will hear real interviews with some of the most fascinating people on Earth, including astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson; business magnate and inventor Elon Musk; Andy Weir, author of The Martian, adapted into an Oscar-nominated film starring Matt Damon; and former NASA astronauts Charles Bolden, John Grunsfeld and James Lovell.

“Brian [Grazer] and I, along with our friends at Radical, had this ambitious idea, which was to create a documentary about the quest to go to Mars but also bring it to life in a really dramatic and cinematic way,” said Executive Producer Ron Howard. “The offer to the audience will be information meets vivid and experiential filmmaking. Nat Geo’s ambition was high, and we are really honored and thrilled to try and meet that challenge.”

Lucien Harrington, SVP of Marketing & Communications for the FOX Networks Group in Asia, said, “MARS is a first-of-its-kind program for the National Geographic Channel in that it fuses fact with fiction, based on scientific data and predictions. Like the fictional mission of the Daedalus in 2033, getting this show off the ground represents the exceptional efforts of a huge number of people – from our visionary producers, talented actors and out-of-this-world visual effects team, to the scientists and engineers who advised them. Today, at the premiere of MARS, we are delighted to see all of that hard work translate into an unprecedented global television event.”

The suspenseful story of humanity’s first manned mission to Mars will be revealed in one-hour episodes over the next six weeks. Tune in to National Geographic Channel for its continuing episodes every Thursday at 9:00PM beginning November 17, 2016.

For more about the show including the experts, actors and storylines, visit: mars.natgeotv.com/

And if you’re up for learning more about your Red Planet readiness, visit www.makemarshome.com

LIVING ON MARS IN 2033: ARE YOU READY?

Catch National Geographic Channel’s thought-provoking six-part series - MARS , Thursdays at 9pm

About Fox Networks Group Asia

FOX Network Group Asia (FNG) is 21st Century FOX’s international multi-media business. FNG develops, produces and distributes more than 300 wholly- and majority-owned entertainment, sports, factual and movie channels in 45 languages across Latin America, Europe, Asia and Africa. FNG’s core channel brands include FOX, FOX Sports, FOX Life, FOX+ and National Geographic Channel. FNG’s movie channels include FOX Movies, FOX Movies Premium and SCM (formerly Star Chinese Movies. Non-linear brands include FOX Play, FOX Play+ and Nat Geo Play. These networks and their related mobile, non-linear and high-definition extensions, reach over 1.8 billion cumulative households worldwide. In addition, FNG owns and operates two production studios and produces thousands of local programming hours for its wholly owned channels and third parties. FNG has been in operation since August 14, 1993.

About National Geographic Channels

The National Geographic Channels (The Channels) form the television and production arm of National Geographic Partners, a joint venture between 21st Century Fox and the National Geographic Society. As a global leader in premium science, adventure and exploration programming, the Channels include: National Geographic Channel (NGC), Nat Geo WILD, Nat Geo People and Nat Geo MUNDO. Additionally, the Channels also run the in-house television production unit, National Geographic Studios. The Channels contribute to the National Geographic Society’s commitment to exploration, conservation and education with entertaining, innovative programming from A-level talent around the world, and with profits that help support the society’s mission. Globally, NGC is available in more than 440 million homes in 171 countries and 45 languages, and Nat Geo WILD is available in 131 countries and 38 languages. National Geographic Partners is also a leader in social media, with a fan base of 250 million people across all of its social pages. NGC contributes over 55 million social media fans globally on Facebook alone.

For more information, visit www.natgeotv.com and www.natgeowild.com.

September 30, 2016

New Drama Series Westworld Premieres on Monday, Oct 3, at 9am, Same Time as the U.S.

Set in the wild west, the sci-fi blockbuster is expected to be the HBO's next smash hit in a long line of popular programs.

WESTWORLD is a dark odyssey about the dawn of artificial consciousness and the evolution of sin. Set at the intersection of the near future and the reimagined past, it explores a world in which every human appetite, no matter how noble or depraved, can be indulged.

The brand-new one-hour drama series WESTWORLD and starring an ensemble cast including Anthony Hopkins, Ed Harris, Evan Rachel Wood and James Marsden, kicks off its ten-episode season premiere on Monday, Oct 3, at 9am, exclusively on HBO, with same day primetime encore at 9pm. New episodes premiere on subsequent Mondays at the same time.

Based on a 1973 film of the same name, WESTWORLD will also be available on HBO GO.

Created for television by Jonathan Nolan (“Interstellar,” “The Dark Knight,” “Person of Interest”) and Lisa Joy (“Pushing Daisies,” “Burn Notice”), both of whom are executive producing and writing, with Nolan also directing, the series was inspired by the 1973 motion picture “Westworld,” written and directed by Michael Crichton.

Co-creator Nolan explains, “Building on the incredibly evocative concept of the original film, we wanted to pose the question: If you could be completely immersed in a fantasy, one in which you could do whatever you wanted, would you discover things about yourself that you didn’t want to know?”

Co-creator Joy adds, “We also wanted to explore what it means to be human from the outside in – through the eyes of the ‘hosts’: the lifelike AI characters that are the main attractions of the park. It’s a meditation on consciousness – the blessing and the burden of it – beautifully portrayed by our remarkable cast.”

WESTWORLD’S exceptional ensemble of cast members:

Anthony Hopkins (Academy Award® winner for “The Silence of the Lambs”; Academy Award® nominee for “Remains of the Day,” “Nixon,” “Amistad”)

Ed Harris (Golden Globe winner and Emmy® nominee for HBO’s “Game Change”; Academy Award® nominee for “Pollock,” “Apollo 13”)

Evan Rachel Wood (Golden Globe nominee for “Thirteen”; Emmy® and Golden Globe nominee for HBO’s “Mildred Pierce”)

James Marsden (the “X-Men” films)

Thandie Newton (“Mission: Impossible II”)

Jeffrey Wright (HBO’s “Confirmation”; Emmy® and Golden Globe winner for HBO’s “Angels in America”)

The series also stars :

Tessa Thompson (“Creed”)

Sidse Babett Knudsen (“Borgen”)

Jimmi Simpson (HBO’s “The Newsroom”)

Rodrigo Santoro (“Focus,” “The 33”)

Shannon Woodward (“Raising Hope”)

Ingrid Bolsø Berdal(“Chernobyl Diaries”)

Ben Barnes (“The Chronicles of Narnia” films)

Simon Quarterman (“The Devil Inside”)

Angela Sarafyan (“The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn”)

Luke Hemsworth (“Infini”)

Clifton Collins, Jr. (“Star Trek”)

In the WESTWORLD universe

Among WESTWORLD’s main players are:

Dr. Robert Ford (Anthony Hopkins), the brilliant, taciturn and complicated creative director, chief programmer and founder of Westworld, who has an uncompromising creative vision for the park.

The Man in Black (Ed Harris) is the distillation of pure villainy into one man.

Dolores Abernathy (Evan Rachel Wood) is a provincial, beautiful and kind rancher’s daughter, who begins to discover that her entire idyllic existence is an elaborately constructed lie.

Teddy Flood (James Marsden), a new arrival to a small frontier town, quickly proves both his charm and talent with a revolver.

Beautiful, razor-sharp madam Maeve Millay (Thandie Newton) has a genius for reading people and a knack for survival, but her seen-it-all-before worldview is about to be challenged.

Bernard Lowe (Jeffrey Wright) is the brilliant and quixotic head of the park’s Programming Division, whose keen observation of human nature provides him with boundless inspiration for his life’s work: creating artificial people.

Charlotte Hale (Tessa Thompson) is a mysterious and savvy provocateur with a unique perspective on Westworld.

Theresa Cullen (Sidse Babett Knudsen), Westworld’s head of Quality Assurance, is responsible for keeping the park from sliding into unscripted chaos.

A first-time visitor, William (Jimmi Simpson) is initially wary of the park’s more lascivious attractions, but slowly uncovers a deeper meaning.

Hector Escaton (Rodrigo Santoro), Westworld’s perennial “most wanted” bandit, subscribes to the theory that the West is a wild place, and the only way to survive is to embrace the role of predator.

Elsie Hughes (Shannon Woodward), a sardonic rising star in the Behaviour Department, is charged with diagnosing the odd quirks of behaviour in the park’s hosts.

Armistice (Ingrid Bolsø Berdal) is a savage fighter and brutal bandit, whose ruthlessness is surpassed only by her abiding loyalty to her fellow outlaws.

Logan (Ben Barnes) is a veteran guest whose hedonistic romp through the park is equally motivated by self-indulgence and a desire to help his friend, William.

Lee Sizemore (Simon Quarterman) is the head of Narrative, whose storylines tantalise the guests, while his temperament grates on his colleagues.

Clementine Pennyfeather (Angela Sarafyan), one of Westworld’s most popular attractions, is perfectly beguiling, by design.

Stubbs (Luke Hemsworth) is the no-nonsense head of Security, charged with monitoring host and human interactions and ensuring the safety of the guests.

Lawrence (Clifton Collins, Jr.), a charming but lethal outlaw, has a knack for manoeuvring and negotiating the various criminal elements of Westworld.

Here are the video interviews with the cast and crew of Westworld:

Executive Producers Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy

Thandie Newton

September 20, 2016

STARWORLD REVEALS MAGIC BEHIND BEST CELEBRITY WEDDINGS WITH SHE SAID YES!

Giving brides-to-be and their grooms an in-depth look at the magic behind the Philippines’ most talked-about weddings is She Said Yes!, which will premiere on September 21 at 10 PM on StarWorld, Asia’s leading female entertainment channel. She Said Yes! features weddings of the country’s biggest celebrities as well as couples who have stopped at nothing to make their special day meaningful and uniquely memorable. The series also introduces the suppliers who made these dream ceremonies possible, allowing other couples to take inspiration for their own weddings.

She Said Yes! inaugurates itself with a bang by featuring one of the biggest weddings in the Philippines in 2015: the union of actress Heart Evangelista Senator Chiz Escudero. On this premiere episode, make-up artist Albert Kurniawan and event stylist Badang Rueda take us behind the scenes of this huge event, while the latter joins event planner Rita Neri, wedding blogger Benz Rana and videographer Jason Magbanua to give a Philippine situationer for the booming wedding industry. Other weddings to be featured in this first season of She Said Yes! include that of Tricia Centenera and Gab Valenciano as well as brides Kitchie Nadal, Nikki Gil and Pauleen Luna.

Viewers not only get to see the making of the country’s most beautiful celebrity weddings, but they also learn about different types of ceremonies—including destination weddings, themed weddings, and those with an offbeat creative slant—and what elements need to come together to make these successful. The top wedding suppliers of the country spill their best-kept secrets on She Said Yes! alongside other features on how brides and grooms should prepare themselves for the Big Day.

Charo Espedido, Head of Marketing and Programming at FOX Networks Group Philippines, said, “The Philippine wedding industry is booming with more suppliers and more ideas than ever, and StarWorld is glad to be providing brides-to-be with an entertaining and informative program that shows what’s available to them for their special day. She Said Yes! will not only inspire couples to dream big for their weddings by featuring those of celebrities, but it will also be a helpful resource for great ideas and stress-free planning, with tips from the country’s top wedding suppliers.”

Watch She Said Yes! to learn the secrets behind the best weddings in the Philippines of 2015, every Wednesday at 10 PM, starting on September 21, exclusively on StarWorld!

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