Universal Studios eyes the UK for first European resort
WEBWIRE – Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Universal Studios is assessing the feasibility of opening its first European resort in the UK, following the purchase of a former brickworks in Bedfordshire.
The theme park operator has confirmed its in the very early stages of exploring the possibility of a potential park and resort experience in Bedford.
Parent company, Comcast Corporation has purchased the 480-acre site, which previously had planning permission for 1,000 homes. Universal Destinations and Experiences has also had positive conversations with various local and national stakeholders, including Bedford Borough Council and the Mayor of Bedford Borough. However, the company has stressed plans are still in the early stages and it is likely to be many months before a decision is made.
Universal Destinations and Experiences has cited the UKs large population, creative industries, strong tourism industry, transportation infrastructure and close proximity to Europe as making it an attractive proposition for a resort.
The Bedfordshire site is just 45 minutes from London, within easy reach of tourism magnets Oxford and Cambridge and has half of the UKs population including the Leisure Media/Attractions Management HQ within two hours. As well as being close to the A1 and M1, Luton Airport is nearby.
With the Harry Potter Studios located just 40 minutes away in Watford, Bedford is an ideal destination for touring theme park enthusiasts.
Universal has five entertainment and resort complexes around the world – UniversalOrlandoResort, Universal StudiosHollywood, Universal StudiosJapan, UniversalBeijingResort and Universal StudiosSingapore. The resorts offer technologically advanced film and television-based attractions; hotels, food and beverage and live entertainment.
Universal has been responsible for some of the worlds most famous films including Jurassic Park, E.T., Back To The Future and Despicable Me. Its parks also feature franchises produced by other studios, including Harry Potter and The Simpsons.
If this project goes ahead it will be a massive win for Bedford: Bedford Borough Council currently flags up The River Great Ouse as one of its most attractive features. Its a growing town, with around 27,000 new homes planned by 2040 and expectations that the population currently at 185,000 – will keep growing. Major companies, including Amazon and Fuji Film, have already chosen the town as their operational base.
Universal theme parks create thousands of jobs, generate significant positive economic impact, both locally and further afield. The company is also committed to protecting the ecology of the areas where they operate and has a strong track record of working with local communities.
A website has been launched https://universalukproject.co.uk to update locals and allow them to give feedback.
WEBWIRE – Saturday, December 30, 2023
Since late last week, Marvel Studios has been debuting a new episode of the award-winning animated series What If? daily. The sixth episode in Season 2, What If Kahhori Reshaped the World? premieres on Disney+ today and introduces audiences to an original Super Hero, Kahhori, a young Mohawk woman on a quest to discover her power. Written by Ryan Little and directed by executive producer Bryan Andrews, the episode was created in close collaboration with members of the Mohawk Nation, including historian Doug George and language expert Cecelia King, to ensure cultural authenticity. As the characters speak in the Mohawk language, the episode is completely subtitled, and the story is informed by the history of the Akwesasne region in what is now upstate New York. Wanting to do the story justice, the creative team first pitched the idea to The Walt Disney Companys Diversity, Equity & Inclusion team in April 2020. We told them about the episode, and they said, Were going to call The Smithsonian. They have the National Museum of the American Indian, and they have a rolodex. Lets get them involved, executive producer AC Bradley recalled during the What If? Season 2 screening event at the Walt Disney Studios in Burbank, California. From day one, we were talking to people. We brought them in for everything from design and story to costuming and music. It was really amazing and beautiful. Im very proud we were able to pull it off. The episode explores what would happen if the Tesseract fell to Earth and landed in the sovereign Haudenosaunee Confederacy before the colonization of America. There, the Tesseract takes on a new life and mythology, transforming a lake into a portal to the stars. What bigger what if is there than, What if colonialization didnt happen? What if the Europeans didnt come here? Andrews said. Thats what I keyed into, but it needed more. Talking with our consultants and getting into their belief system, we were able to find an in that was solid and worked. Andrews added that Little was instrumental in shaping the episode. He worked with the consultants a ton to bring this character to life, he said. Andrews also praised the visual development team and the artists, whose thoughtful work amazed the consultants. They wrote us a letter saying how they felt for the first time that their people were honestly being represented in media. That was huge, and they were no bones about it: This is legit. Prior to the episode debuting on Disney+, the creative team screened the episode early for hundreds of members of the of the First Nations tribal community, Andrews continued. The whole episode is subtitled, and they were like, Thats never been done for us before. From the very beginning I was like, Its going to be in their language; Im not budging. Executive producer Brad Winderbaum, Marvel Studios Head of Streaming, Television and Animation, and everyone else at the studio was supportive in every way, Andrews added. Devery Jacobswho next stars as Bonnie in Marvel Studios live-action series Echo, streaming Tuesday, January 9, on Disney+ and Huluvoices Kahhori (pronounced KAH-HORTI). The episode also features the voice talents of Kiawentiio as Wahta, Jeremy White as Atahraks, Gabriel Romo as Conquistador Rodrigo Alphonso Gonzolo, Benedict Cumberbatch as Doctor Strange, and Carolina Ravassa and Queen Isabella, among others. VIDEO: Marvel Studios What If? Season 2 | Official Trailer | Disney+
Universal City, California – WEBWIRE – Friday, November 17, 2023
Visit Universal Studios Hollywood to Purchase Tickets Looking to share the gift of Universal Studios Hollywood with family and friends this holiday season, then a one-stop shopping spree at the entertainment destination for the perfect gift will help deliver ear-to-ear smiles. To help take the guesswork out of what to buy, Universal Studios Hollywood has assembled a checklist of inspirational gifts available from its popular rides, attractions and immersive lands, including SUPER NINTENDO WORLD, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Jurassic WorldThe Ride and Illuminations Despicable Me Minion Mayhem and The Secret Life of Pets: Off the Leash, along with a collection of theme park favorites. For the ideal stocking stuffer, the Universal Studios Hollywood Annual Pass is the quintessential gift to bring cheer throughout the year, inclusive of discounts and exclusive perks. Select the Platinum, Gold or Silver Annual Pass to create magical memories in 2024. Heres a checklist of top gifts to consider: SUPER NINTENDO WORLD Share the holidays with Mario, Luigi, Princess Peach, Toad and more with these favorites: six different collectible Power-Up Bands; a variety of character plush toys, apparel, hats and headbands; and even a Reversable Super Star and ? Block pillow. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Bring home a little magic with spellbinding gifts (select items can be personalized), including The Wizarding World of Harry Potter Collector Edition Wand, adult and youth Christmas-themed sweatshirts, interactive snowy owl plush toys, crew neck fleece sweatshirts from each of the four Houses, commemorative holiday ornaments and dcor celebrating the season, decorative pins, mugs, scarves, scented candles, themed frames, cozy sleepwear and Honeydukes one-of-a-kind sweets. Grinchmas For the naughty on the list, whimsical favorites from Universal Pictures Dr. Seuss How The Grinch Stole Christmas include spirit jerseys, totes, Grinchy ornaments, green faux-fur keychains and adorned hats, gloves and scarves, colorful tumblers and pajamas. Jurassic WorldThe Ride Add a splash of Blue to the holiday season with such dinosaur favorites as a T. Rex Cutie Plush, assorted masks, bubble wand and canteen. Despicable Me Minion Mayhem Illuminations mischievous Minions bring seasonal smiles with these must-have favorites: Minion and Fluffy the unicorn plush toys, backpacks and Minion goggles. The Secret Life of Pet: Off the Leash Furry stars Max, Snowball, Duke, Gidget, Buddy, Daisy, Mel, Princess and Pickles from Illuminations The Secret Life of Pets franchise bring holiday cheer with themed favorites, including plush toys, pajamas and Adopt A Pup collection. The Simpsons Ride and Springfield, USA Dohhere are few gift giving ideas from Americas favorite family: Pink donut pillow, character plush toys and apparel. And finally, here are a few memorable gifts for the all-encompassing Universal Studios Hollywood theme park fan, including Universal retro sweaters, caps and totes, Universal 1912 backpacks, tumblers and keychains, wooden clapboard and Universal Globe figurine. Throughout Universal Studios Hollywoods festive holiday celebration, guests can purchase an array of culinary treats and comfort foods, created exclusively by the theme parks Executive Chef Julia Thrash. Heres a sampling: Grinchmas will serve up such Who-bilation favorites as Who-ville Spiral Croissant, Dumpit to Crumpit Treat, Who-bilicious Cinnamon Roll, 2 Sizes Too Small Cupcake, Heart Grew 3 Sizes Sugar Cookie and the Grinch Heart Lemonade. Comfort foods and themed holiday fare available throughout the theme park: Crispy BBQ Chicken Sandwich, Slow Roasted Turkey Sandwich with Fries, Chili, Butternut Squash Soup and Clam Chowder in Bread Bowl, Turkey Quesadilla, Smoked Brisket Sandwich, Chocolate Chip Cookie, Chocolate Spiral Croissant, Pumpkin Spice Spiral Croissant, Sleigh Bells Irish Sour, Rudolphs Red Rita, Hot Apple Toddy, Hot Espresso Martini, Make it Snappy Santa and Mrs. Claus Cinnamon Delight. Universal CityWalk Hollywood, located just outside the theme park, is also stocked for ideal shopping and dining. Guests must be 21 years or older+ and have a valid photo ID to purchase or drink alcoholic beverages. From Friday, November 24 through Monday, January 1, 2024, Holidays at Universal Studios Hollywood features Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and the spectacular dazzling light projection transformation of HogwartsTM castle through The Magic of Christmas at Hogwarts Castle, as well as Grinchmas, featuring a Who-lebration of fun fit for the Grinch, his faithful dog Max and a roster of Who-ville Whos. Holiday programs are included in the price of theme park admission. More information is available at www.UniversalStudiosHollywood.com. Like Universal Studios Hollywood on Facebook and follow @UniStudios on Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter). Entry to Universal CityWalk is free. More information is available at www.CityWalkHollywood.com.
Pixel Film Studios, a leading developer of visual effects tools for the post-production and broadcast community, proudly unveils its new membership program designed exclusively for Final Cut Pro users. This program offers a wide array of plugins, effects, transitions, and other valuable assets aimed at enhancing creative projects. Since its inception in 2006, Pixel Film Studios has been at the forefront of innovation in the field of visual effects. The company’s products seamlessly integrate with popular non-linear editing and compositing products from Apple FCP. Pixel Film Studios is renowned for its commitment to elevating the creative experience, and its offerings have become essential tools for video editors and post-production professionals. Key Features of the Pixel Film Studios Membership Program: Complimentary Membership: Gain access to a selection of downloadable assets with the complimentary membership, allowing users to enhance their projects and explore the possibilities within Final Cut Pro. Monthly Membership ($39.95): Unlock unlimited access to a vast library of assets with the monthly membership. Users can seamlessly integrate plugins, effects, transitions, and more into their creative projects. Yearly Membership ($259.95): Enjoy a year of unrestricted access to thousands of assets with the yearly membership, offering an exceptional value for dedicated creators. “We are excited to introduce our new membership program, tailored to empower Final Cut Pro enthusiasts with a diverse range of assets,” says David Austin, CEO at Pixel Film Studios. “Our goal is to provide valuable tools that enhance the creative process and enable users to achieve their artistic vision.” Pixel Film Studios’ commitment to quality and creativity is evident in its seamless integration with Apple FCP products, providing users with a streamlined workflow and powerful editing capabilities. About Pixel Film Studios: Pixel Film Studios Categories Washington, D.C. and New York, NY – WEBWIRE – Friday, November 4, 2022 NPR and Futuro Studios are proud to present The Last Cup, a dual language podcast hosted by NPRs Jasmine Garsd. Lionel Messi, arguably soccers biggest star, is facing his last chance: his last FIFA World Cup playing for his home country, Argentina. We chart Messis rise to fame, and explore the reasons why his brilliant performances on the field in Spain have never been replicated on his home turf, in Argentina. But Messis story is more than a sports story: it is about the universal urge to return home, even as its impossible because people and places never remain as weve left them. Its a story about identity and to whom we owe loyalty. What does home mean when you are so far away, for so long?
Interwoven with Messis rise is Garsds own immigration story, of leaving Argentina as a teenager with her family during one of the countrys worst economic crises and moving to southern California, where she struggled to balance fitting in and preserving her identity.
Listen to the trailer HERE.
The first episode drops on Thursday, November 10, and the series will continue to run during the World Cup.
Messis story reflects universal themes that caught my attention: the pain of departure, the desire to return, the fear of not being able to. These themes are all very familiar to me from my own life and I have heard them over and over in the stories of other immigrant communities, said Garsd.
Episodes will be published in both English and Spanish in a dedicated dual language feed. Additionally, the English version will be showcased under the new Embedded brand. Over the last 6 years, NPR listeners have come to know Embedded as a destination for deeply-reported stories that go beyond the headlines. Listeners will now be able to find NPRs best enterprise documentary storytelling projects from across NPR and the NPR Network in the Embedded feed. Stories that are bingeable, riveting and touch on the important issues and ideas of our day.
The other day I saw a headline about Lionel Messi and immediately clicked and read the story. And Im not even a soccer fan! said Embeddeds founding host Kelly McEvers. Thats how good this series is. Following Jasmines own personal story makes it so interesting and so relatable, and it shows that Messi is about so much more than just the sport. Everyone should listen!
The Last Cup is going to resonate with so many people, says Marlon Bishop, VP of Podcasts at Futuro Studios. Its a sports story, but its also a deeply human story, a story about identity, and a love letter to Argentina as told from an immigrants perspective. Were really proud we can bring this incredible story to listeners in both English and Spanish.
The Last Cup project anchors NPRs World Cup coverage and will be spotlighted across all major NPR and Futuro Studios platforms, harnessing the power of public media to tell impactful stories of our time.
About NPR
NPRs rigorous reporting and unsurpassed storytelling that connects with millions of Americans every day on the air, online, and in-person. NPR strives to create a more informed public one challenged and invigorated by a deeper understanding and appreciation of events, ideas, and cultures. With a nationwide network of award-winning journalists and 17 international bureaus, NPR and its Member Stations are never far from where a story is unfolding. Listeners can find NPR by tuning in to their local Member stations (npr.org/stations), and now its easy to listen to our stories on smart speaker devices. Ask your smart speaker to, Play NPR, and youll be tuned into your local Member stations live stream. Your speaker can also access NPR podcasts, NPR One, NPR News Now, and the Visual Newscast is available for screened speakers. Get more information at npr.org/about and by following NPR Extra on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
About Futuro Studios
Futuro Studios is the podcast and original programming division of the Pulitzer Prize-winning Futuro Media Group, an independent nonprofit organization producing multimedia journalism that explores and gives a critical voice to the diversity of the American experience. Based in Harlem and founded in 2010 by award-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa, Futuro Media is committed to telling stories often overlooked by mainstream media. Since 2019, Futuro Studios has developed a slate of critically acclaimed podcast series, including the Pulitzer-Prize winning Suave with PRX, La Brega with WNYC Studios, Anything For Selena with WBUR, Norco 80 for LAist Studios, LOUD: The History of Reggaeton with Spotify Studios, The Battle of 187, a co-production with the Los Angeles Times, Radical Imagination hosted by Angela Glover Backwell in partnership with PolicyLink, and Con Todo: Brown Love in collaboration with Netflix. Futuro Media also produces the Peabody Award winning show Latino USA, the In The Thick political podcast, the pioneering digital news outlet Latino Rebels and Hinojosas newest investigative journalism and special projects unit. More at futurostudios.org.
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How Marvel Studios’ ‘What If…?’ Created Kahhori, a New Mohawk Super Hero
Universal Studios Hollywood Offers Top Holiday Gift-Giving Favorites from SUPER NINTENDO WORLD to “The Wizarding World of Harry Potter,” Along With the Must-Have Annual Pass as the Countdown to the Holidays Begins –
Holiday Shopping is Enhanced by the Theme Parks Festive Grinchmas Who-lebration and Christmas in The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, Along with Seasonal Culinary Treats, November 24 January 1, 2024
Pixel Film Studios Launches New Membership Program for Final Cut Pro Editors
Pixel Film Studios, established in 2006 and headquartered in Aliso Viejo, California, is a renowned developer of visual effects tools for the post-production and broadcast community. The company’s products seamlessly integrate with popular non-linear editing and compositing products from Apple FCP. members.pixelfilmstudios.com
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‘The Last Cup’ by NPR and Futuro Studios drops Nov 10
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