| PorchLight Home Entertainment Acquires U.S. DVD Rights to Together Again for the First Time From Brownie Films |
August 11 2008
LOS ANGELES — August 11, 2008 — For Immediate Release — PorchLight Home Entertainment (PHE) has acquired U.S.DVD rights to the feature film Together Again for the First Time from Brownie Films, it was announced today by Robert Yu, vice president, feature films acquisitions, PorchLight Entertainment. Additionally, worldwide distribution rights in all mediums were acquired by parent company PorchLight Entertainment.
The holiday-themed comedy will be released on PHE’s newly launched Ocean Park label, which spotlights cutting-edge, independent films with diverse appeal.
Together Again for the First Time stars Julia Duffy (TV’s Newhart, Drake and Josh), David Ogden Stiers (TV’s M*A*S*H, The Dead Zone), Kelly Stables (The Ring, The Ring Two), Joey Lawrence (Blossom, Master of Dance, Rest Stop) & Larisa Oleynik (10 Things I Hate About You, TV’s 3rd Rock From the Sun). The film was written, produced, and directed by Jeff Parkin and was based on a play by Reed McColm , who also co wrote the script and was a producer on the project.
In Together Again for the First Time, the Wolders-Frobisher family hasn’t been in the same house since their parents marriage seven years before. The long awaited reunion this holiday season would normally be cause to celebrate, if they could only stand each other’s company…but they can’t. Matters only get worse with the unexpected arrival of an ex-boyfriend, an unannounced television broadcast, and the revelation of a dark family secret. Together Again for the First Time reminds us of the importance of family, even when you don’t like each other very much.
Pre-order date is Sept. 10. Street date is Oct. 14 and the suggested list price is $24.98
Commented Yu, “Together Again for the First Time is an engaging, light-hearted comedy with universal appeal and soul. This film is a shining addition to the PorchLight Home Entertainment/Ocean Park library.”
Executive Producer James Huntsman, Brownie Films, added, “We’re thrilled to work with PorchLight on this title. They’re synonymous with family entertainment and have built a terrific brand. Their team has a strong track record of getting product into the marketplace.”
The acquisition was brokered by Todd Slater on behalf of Brownie Films.
About Brownie Films:
Brownie Films is an independent film production company created in 2006 by James Huntsman and shortly thereafter acquired the film rights to the play Together Again for the First Time. Company is based on Los Angeles.
About PorchLight Home Entertainment:
Launched in early 2007, PorchLight Home Entertainment (PHE) is a division of PorchLight Entertainment. PHE emphasizes positive family values, informing as well as entertaining.
Among the titles being distributed by PHE are: LeapFrog’s holiday special, A Tad of Christmas Cheer; The Family Holiday; the award-winning Wheels on the Bus series; Little Playdates series; Travel With Kids series; and the upcoming release of the classic PBS series Adventures From the Book of Virtues. In spring 2008, PHE launched the Porchlight INSPIRE label, featuring inspirational and faith-based children’s and family entertainment, and Ocean Park Home Entertainment, showcasing cutting-edge, independent films with diverse appeal. PHE
is headed by Gary Jones.
About PorchLight Entertainment:
PorchLight Entertainment is a multi-faceted company focused on the production and distribution of high-quality entertainment and licensing and merchandising representation for children’s and family brands and trademarks. Since its formation in 1995 by veteran entertainment executives Bruce D. Johnson and William T. Baumann, PorchLight has built a large and diverse distribution library of nearly 200 movies, over 1,000 episodes of children’s programs and a growing non-fiction and music programming library. PorchLight has produced more than 40 live-action and animated movies and major animated series including Tutenstein, the multiple Emmy Award-winning series, for Discovery Kids; Jay Jay the Jet Plane for PBS; Adventures From The Book of Virtues for PBS; and a direct-to-video series for LeapFrog, the leading electronic toy company. The company is currently co-producing Animalia for PBS; The Tutenstein Movie for Discovery Kids; and The Secret Adventures of Zak Saturday for Cartoon Network. For more information, visit www.porchlight.com.
Contact:
Vicki Greenleaf
Greenleaf & Associates — 323-660-5800
vicki@greenleafandassociates.com
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| PorchLight Home Entertainment Acquires DVD Rights to Dear Me, A Blogger’s Tale From Shutter Star Pictures |
July 28 2008
LOS ANGELES — July 28, 2008 — For Immediate Release — PorchLight Home Entertainment (PHE) has acquired U.S. DVD rights to the feature film Dear Me, A Blogger’s Tale from Shutter Star Pictures, it was announced today by Robert Yu, vice president, feature films acquisitions, PorchLight Entertainment.
The romantic comedy will be released on PHE’s newly launched Ocean Park label, which spotlights cutting-edge, independent films with diverse appeal.
In Dear Me, A Blogger’s Tale, Samantha Billows wants nothing more than to be a copywriter at The Hunt Advertising Agency. But, riddled with anxiety, Samantha somehow always finds just the wrong thing to say. No therapist is able to help her move beyond her invisible life as a plant maintenance person. But then a miracle happens … By typing away the anxiety into her blog, “Dear Me,” she gains control of her life and her creativity shines through. Her career and love life blossom until “Dear Me” is discovered and devilishly exploited by a co-worker. Now it may destroy her and everything around her ...
Dear Me, A Blogger’s Tale, featuring original music, stars Sarah Thompson (the upcoming Break with Michael Madsen, Charles Durning and Chad Everett, 7th Heaven, Angel), David DeLuise (the upcoming Route 30 with Dana Delaney, Wizards of Waverly Place, 3rd Rock From the Sun), Felicia Day (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Guild, the hit web musical Dr. Horrible’s Sing Along Blog). David O’Donnell (Dirty Love, Thirteen Days, Air Force One), Michael Bowen (Kill Bill Vol.1, Magnolia, ABC’s Lost) and Dan Lauria (The Wonder Years). The film was produced by April Sugarman and Steven Weiss-Smith, who also co-wrote the screenplay, and directed by Mike Feifer.
Pre-order date is Oct. 1, street date is Nov. 4 and suggested list price is $24.98.
Said Yu, “Dear Me, A Blogger’s Tale is exemplary of the type of innovative and captivating independent filmmaking that PorchLight Home Entertainment is seeking for the Ocean Park label.”
Added the film’s Producer, Steven Weiss-Smith, Shutter Star Pictures, “We are thrilled that Dear Me, a Bloggers Tale is among the exceptional films being released on PorchLight’s newly formed label Ocean Park. As our distributor, Porchlight’s family atmosphere and hip attitude make them a laudable creative partner.”
About Shutter Star Pictures:
Shutter Star Pictures prides itself on merging the latest filmmaking technology with timeless stories never before told to create studio-style universal messages that captivate and inspire. Whether it is the story of an introverted blogger whose therapy becomes an Internet sensation or a 12,000-year-old discovery that will solve a health mystery eluding scientists for centuries—all carry a unique message that stands apart from anything previously filmed. These independently financed and professionally produced films will capture audiences world wide with their unique story line and creative flair.
About PorchLight Home Entertainment:
Launched in early 2007, PorchLight Home Entertainment (PHE) is a division of PorchLight Entertainment. PHE emphasizes positive family values, informing as well as entertaining. Among the titles being distributed on DVD by PHE are: Animalia, based on the bestselling books and now seen on Animania HD and PBS; the award-winning 64 Zoo Lane, based on the bestselling books, airing on Nickelodeon Jr.’s Noggin network; and the classic PBS series Adventures From the Book of Virtues. In spring 2008, PHE launched two specialty labels, PorchLight INSPIRE, distributing inspirational and faith-based children’s and family entertainment, and Ocean Park Home Entertainment,
featuring cutting-edge, independent films with diverse appeal, including such titles as Outsourced and Pope Dreams. PHE is headed by Gary Jones.
About PorchLight Entertainment:
PorchLight Entertainment is a multi-faceted company focused on the production and distribution of high-quality entertainment and licensing and merchandising representation for children’s and family brands and trademarks. Since its formation in 1995 by veteran entertainment executives Bruce D. Johnson and William T. Baumann, PorchLight has built a large and diverse distribution library of nearly 200 movies, over 1,000 episodes of children’s programs and a growing non-fiction and music programming library. PorchLight has produced more than 40 live-action and animated movies and major animated series including Tutenstein, the multiple Emmy Award-winning series, for Discovery Kids; Jay Jay the Jet Plane for PBS; Adventures From The Book of Virtues for PBS; and a direct-to-video series for LeapFrog, the leading electronic toy company. The company is currently co-producing Animalia for PBS; The Tutenstein Movie for Discovery Kids; and The Secret Adventures of Zak Saturday for Cartoon Network. For more information, visit www.porchlight.com.
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| 64 Zoo Lane - When Night Falls, Dreams & Adventures Begin...Visit a Place Where Animals and Imagination Run Wild |
July 1 2008
LOS ANGELES — July 1, 2008 — For Immediate Release — Children ages 2-5 will have a g-r-r-r-eat time with their new animal friends at 64 Zoo Lane, roaring onto DVD July 29 from PorchLight Home Entertainment.
From the award-winning Belgium television producer and best-selling author An Vrombaut, 64 Zoo Lane follows the adventures of a little girl named Lucy who lives at 64 Zoo Lane, next door to a zoo. Every night, she climbs out of her window, slides down the long neck of Georgina the giraffe and listens to one of the animals at the zoo tell her a story.
Georgina, Nelson the elephant, Zed the zebra, Tickles and Giggles the monkeys, Henrietta the hairy hippopotamus, Joey the kangaroo, Snowbert the polar bear and Kevin the crocodile entertain as children explore social and emotional issues (like responsibility, friendship, helping and caring) and learn about language and vocabulary.
64 Zoo Lane, which currently airs on Nickelodeon Jr.’s Noggin network for preschoolers in the U.S. and the BBC in the U.K., has won the 2002 British Animation Award for Best Pre-School Series and the 2000 Pulcinella Prize for Best Series for Children at the international television festival Cartoons on the Bay. Six new 64 Zoo Lane books were released April 28 from Hodder and Stoughton.
Episodes included on this feature-length DVD include “Nelson the Elephant,” “Adam the Armadillo,” “Herbert the Warthog,” “Pauline the Pelican,” “Toby the Tortoise,” “Doris the Duck,” “Wally the Wombat” and “Melanie the Moose.”
With timeless picture book quality, 64 Zoo Lane is presented in full frame 4 x 3 (1.33:1).
About PorchLight Home Entertainment:
Launched in early 2007, PorchLight Home Entertainment (PHE) is a division of PorchLight Entertainment. PHE emphasizes positive family values, informing as well as entertaining.
Among the titles being distributed by PHE are: LeapFrog’s holiday special, A Tad of
Christmas Cheer; The Family Holiday; the award-winning Wheels on the Bus series; Little Playdates series; Travel With Kids series; and the upcoming release of the classic PBS series Adventures From the Book of Virtues. In spring 2008, PHE launched the Porchlight INSPIRE label, featuring inspirational and faith-based children’s and family entertainment, and Ocean Park Home Entertainment, showcasing cutting-edge, independent films with diverse appeal.
PHE is headed by Gary Jones.
About PorchLight Entertainment:
PorchLight Entertainment is a multi-faceted company focused on the production and distribution of high-quality entertainment and licensing and merchandising representation for children’s and family brands and trademarks. Since its formation in 1995 by veteran entertainment executives Bruce D. Johnson and William T. Baumann, PorchLight has built a large and diverse distribution library of nearly 200 movies, over 1,000 episodes of children’s programs and a growing non-fiction and music programming library. PorchLight has produced more than 40 live-action and animated movies and major animated series including Tutenstein, the multiple Emmy Award-winning series, for Discovery Kids; Jay Jay the Jet Plane for PBS; Adventures From The Book of Virtues for PBS; and a direct-to-video series for LeapFrog, the leading electronic toy company. The company is currently co-producing Animalia for PBS; The Tutenstein Movie for Discovery Kids; and The Secret Adventures of Zak Saturday for Cartoon Network. For more information, visit www.porchlight.com.
64 Zoo Lane
PorchLight Home Entertainment
Genre: Children’s, Ages 2-5
Not Rated
Format: DVD Only
Running Time: 88 Minutes
Suggested Retail Price: $14.98
Pre-Order Date: June 25, 2008
Street Date: July 29, 2008
Catalog #: 1055
UPC Code: 810863010555
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| "Loopdidoo" barrels onto DVD June 24, from PorchLight Home Entertainment. |
June 1 2008
LOS ANGELES — June 1, 2008 — For Immediate Release — Full of loopiness, laughter and little life lessons, Loopdidoo barrels onto DVD June 24, from PorchLight Home Entertainment.
Based upon the popular comic books Grabouillon by Alexis Nesme, Loopdidoo, an animated program for children ages three to five, premiered March 1 on U.S. television on Animania, the children’s channel of VOOM HD Networks.
In Loopdidoo, a goofy dog named Loopdidoo and his five-year-old owner and best friend, Petunia, find everyday life to be just one big adventure. Seemingly harmless situations soon turn into breakneck adventures, especially when Loopdidoo throws his well meant enthusiasm in the balance.
Join Petunia, Oodles, Basil and the greatest dog in the world for the first time on DVD! Episodes on Loopdidoo include: “Wet Paint,” “Chef’s Surprise!,” “The Party!,” “A Smokin’ Idea,” “The End of the World,” “Grumble-Bee,” “Spring Cleaning,” “Just What the Doctor Ordered,” “The Crazy Kite,” “High and Dry,” “No Swimming,” “Nonsense Network” and “A Very Dangerous Cake.”
Loopdidoo is presented in widescreen with an aspect ratio of 16 x 9 (1.78:1).
About PorchLight Home Entertainment:
Launched in early 2007, PorchLight Home Entertainment (PHE) is a division of PorchLight Entertainment. PHE emphasizes positive family values, informing as well as entertain-ing. Among the titles being distributed by PHE are: LeapFrog’s holiday special, A Tad of Christmas Cheer; The Family Holiday; the award-winning Wheels on the Bus series; Little Playdates series; Travel With Kids series; and the upcoming release of the classic PBS series Adventures From the Book of Virtues.
About PorchLight Entertainment:
PorchLight Entertainment is a multi-faceted company focused on the production and distribution of high-quality entertainment and licensing and merchandising representation for children’s and family brands and trademarks. Since its formation in 1995 by veteran entertainment executives Bruce D. Johnson and William T. Baumann, PorchLight has built a large and diverse distribution library of nearly 200 movies, over 1,000 episodes of children’s programs and a growing non-fiction and music programming library. PorchLight has produced more than 40 live-action and animated movies and major animated series including Tutenstein, the multiple Emmy Award-winning series, for Discovery Kids; Jay Jay the Jet Plane for PBS; Adventures From The Book of Virtues for PBS; and a direct-to-video series for LeapFrog, the leading electronic toy company. The company is currently co-producing Animalia for PBS; The Tutenstein Movie for Discovery Kids; and The Secret Adventures of Zak Saturday for Cartoon Network. For more information, visit www.porchlight.com.
Loopdidoo
PorchLight Home Entertainment
Genre: Children’s
Not Rated
Format: DVD Only
Running Time: Approx. 85 Minutes
Suggested Retail Price: $14.98
Pre-Order Date: May 21, 2008
Street Date: June 24, 2008
Catalog #: 1054
UPC Code: #810863010548
Contacts:
Greenleaf & Associates — 323-660-5800
Vicki Greenleaf — vicki@greenleafandassociates.com
For screeners or artwork, please call or e-mail:
Karen Brundage — karen@greenleafandassociates.com
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| PorchLight Acquires Three Films in Advance of Cannes Film Festival, including the Tribeca Audience Award Winner, "War Child". |
June 1 2008
Los Angeles, May 6, 2008: PorchLight Entertainment continues to diversify its slate as it heads into Cannes. PorchLight’s President of Worldwide Distribution, Ken DuBow, announced today the acquisition of worldwide rights (ex-North America) to GOOBY, from director/writer/producer Wilson Coneybeare (Monster Warriors, Timeblazers), in a deal brokered by Ken DuBow and Coneybeare. PorchLight also acquired international rights to EMMANUEL JAL: WAR CHILD, which just won the prestigious Audience Award at the Tribeca Film Festival; and has acquired international rights to James Moll’s acclaimed documentary, RUNNING THE SAHARA, executive produced by Matt Damon.
GOOBY is the charming story of Willy, a boy with an overactive imagination who is scared of everything until Gooby, his favorite childhood plaything, comes to life to teach Willy essential life lessons. GOOBY stars a who’s who of comedy talents, including Robbie Coltrane (Harry Potter films, James Bond films, Cracker), who plays the voice of Gooby, and Eugene Levy (Bringing Down the House, American Pie, Ghostbusters) who plays Willy’s flummoxed teacher. In addition, James David Elliot (J.A.G., The Rainbow Tribe), co-stars as Willy’s dad. “GOOBY is where Harvey meets Harry and the Hendersons,” said DuBow. “It’s not only an endearing film for children of all ages, but a film that will amuse and enlighten audiences as well – it has a tremendous heart.” Said Coneybeare, “It’s truly a dream come true for me to see this project come to life, and we have a distribution partner that’s a perfect fit.”
One of the other high-profile films acquired by PorchLight is the Tribeca Audience Award winner, the heart-rending documentary WAR CHILD, which tells the story of how Emmanuel Jal turned his life around after being a child soldier in the war in Sudan to become an internationally renowned hip hop recording artist. Jal will be performing at a private party in Cannes to celebrate the film’s international launch with PorchLight. DuBow brokered the deal with the film’s director and producer, Karim Chrobog.
DuBow brokered the deal for the inspirational documentary, RUNNING THE SAHARA with the film’s producers, Rick Eldridge and Jim Van Eerden. The film follows the trials and triumph of three long-distance runners as they traverse one of the most inhospitable landscapes to find out more about the world and themselves than they ever imagined. “It’s a joy to be associated with a film that moves so many people,” said DuBow. “To have Matt Damon involved and Wyclef Jean to compose and perform the film’s signature song is illustrative of the emotional scope of the film.”
“It’s great to celebrate my first year anniversary with PorchLight in Cannes with these three wonderful films added to our already great line-up in spacious new offices in the Lerins, and with a private party to honor our films,” said DuBow. “It’s a testament to the exponential growth of PorchLight over the last year, and very gratifying to be a part of the team that made it possible.”
About PorchLight Entertainment:
PorchLight Entertainment is a multi-faceted company focused on the production and distribution of high-quality family entertainment and licensing and merchandising representation for children’s and family brands and trademarks. Since its formation in 1995 by veteran entertainment executives Bruce D. Johnson and William T. Baumann, PorchLight has built a large and diverse distribution library of nearly 200 movies, over 1,000 episodes of children’s programs and a growing non-fiction and music programming library. PorchLight has also produced more than 40 live-action and animated movies and major animated series including Tutenstein, the multiple Emmy Award-winning series, for Discovery Kids and Jetix Europe; Jay Jay the Jet Plane for PBS; Four Eyes for France 3, Nickelodeon Asia and Nickelodeon Australia; and Adventures from The Book of Virtues for PBS, and a series of direct-to-videos for Leapfrog, the leading electronic toy company. The Company is currently co-producing Animalia for the BBC, PBS, Nickelodeon and Network Ten in Australia and CBC in Canada; Secret Saturdays for Cartoon Network; A Tad of Christmas Cheer for Leapfrog, and a line-up of live-action and animated movies for the international television and DVD market. Condor Releasing is the company’s newest worldwide distribution division and home entertainment label that will handle content in all media which falls outside the family entertainment profile. For more information, visit www.porchlight.com.
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| PorchLight Home Entertainment Acquires U.S. DVD Rights to "Animalia" |
June 1 2008
LOS ANGELES — May 5, 2008 — For Immediate Release — PorchLight Home Enter-tainment (PHE) has acquired the U.S. DVD distribution rights to Animalia, it was announced today by Brenda Bisner, vice-president acquisitions, children’s programming, PHE.
Produced by Animalia Productions, in association with PorchLight Entertainment, Animalia is based on the internationally acclaimed, illustrated children’s book by Graeme Base—an alphabet book with 26 illustrations of animals, one for each letter of the alphabet (A is for alligator, Z is for zebra). Animalia is currently airing on both Animania HD and PBS in the U.S., BBC in the UK and CBC in Canada.
Adventurous, fast-paced and funny, Animalia also carries positive social messages; highlights key character traits like cooperation, persistence and creativity; and promotes literacy. Taking its inspiration from America’s national literacy standards, as enunciated by the National Council of Teachers of English and the International Reading Association, each episode depicts one or more
key communication skills such as language use, writing, speaking, listening, critical thinking and online searching and research.
Commented Gary Jones, president of PHE, “This further expands our commitment to the marketplace and the strength of our release schedule as PorchLight Home Entertainment continues its aggressive acquisition of strong, branded television programming for release on DVD and Blu-ray Disc.”
Said Ewan Burnett, president of Burberry Productions in Australia and one of the series executive producers, “We are extremely pleased to extend our relationship with PorchLight to bring this successful television series to DVD in the U.S.”
Added Bruce Johnson, PorchLight Entertainment’s president and CEO and one of the series executive producers, “This is a spectacular series! The CGI animation is amazing and the story-telling, music and characters all make this a perfect DVD to own and watch again and again.”
In Animalia, join 11-year-olds Zoe and Alex on thrilling adventures, as they are swept from
their local library into Animalia, a unique world of talking animals! All is not right in the once peaceful kingdom as their arrival coincides with unusual events undermining the very heart of Animalia—the Core. Zoe and Alex, together with their new friends, use their wits and imagination to help solve the mysteries and bring harmony back to the land.
The series is an international production headquartered in Australia. Animalia Productions is a joint venture between executive producers Ewan Burnett, a BAFTA Award recipient; award-winning author Graeme Base; and Murray Pope (Happy Feet, Babe: Pig in the City). PorchLight Entertainment’s multiple Emmy Award-winning CEO, Bruce Johnson, also shares executive producer credit, along with 15-time Emmy Award-winning story editor and lead writer Tom Ruegger (Tiny Toon Adventures, Animaniacs, Pinky and the Brain). The series is directed by David Scott (Happy Feet, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, The Lord of the Rings trilogy).
The first title in the series scheduled for release on DVD is Animalia: Welcome to the Kingdom, which includes the episodes “Hello, We Must be Going,” “Goodbye, We Must be Staying,” “Forget-Me-Not” and “The Mist of Time.” Preorder is August 20 and street date is Sept. 23. Available in DVD (SRP: $16.98) and Blu-ray Disc (SRP: $29.98).
About Animalia Productions and Burberry Productions:
Animalia Productions is a joint venture between Burberry Productions, Graeme Base and Producer Murray Pope. Based in Melbourne, Australia, and founded by Ewan Burnett, Burberry Productions is a production company with a strong track record in the development, financing and production of award-winning, high-quality programs for the Australian and international markets. Since its establishment as an independent production company in 2000, Burberry has produced over 160 hours of television across a number of genres, including children’s series, mini-series, sketch comedy, prime-time drama and animation. For more information, visit www.burberry.com.au.
About PorchLight Home Entertainment:
Launched in early 2007, PorchLight Home Entertainment (PHE) is a division of PorchLight Entertainment. PHE emphasizes positive family values, informing as well as entertaining. Among the titles being distributed by PHE are: LeapFrog’s holiday special, A Tad of Christmas Cheer; The Family Holiday; the award-winning Wheels on the Bus series; Little Playdates series; Travel With Kids series; and the upcoming release of the classic PBS series Adventures From the Book of Virtues. In spring 2008, PHE launched the Porchlight INSPIRE label, featuring inspirational and faith-based children’s and family entertainment. PHE is headed by Gary Jones.
About PorchLight Entertainment:
PorchLight Entertainment is a multi-faceted company focused on the production and distribution of high-quality entertainment and licensing and merchandising representation for children’s and family brands and trademarks. Since its formation in 1995 by veteran entertainment executives Bruce D. Johnson and William T. Baumann, PorchLight has built a large and diverse distribution library of nearly 200 movies, over 1,000 episodes of children’s programs and a growing non-fiction and music programming library. PorchLight has produced more than 40 live-action and animated movies and major animated series including Tutenstein, the multiple Emmy Award-winning series, for Discovery Kids; Jay Jay the Jet Plane for PBS; Adventures From The Book of Virtues for PBS; and a direct-to-video series for LeapFrog, the leading electronic toy company. The company is currently co-producing Animalia for PBS; The Tutenstein Movie for Discovery Kids; and The Secret Adventures of Zak Saturday for Cartoon Network. For more information, visit www.porchlight.com.
Contact:
Vicki Greenleaf
Greenleaf & Associates — 323-660-5800
vicki@greenleafandassociates.com
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| PorchLight Home Entertainment Announces PorchLight INSPIRE Label |
June 1 2008
LOS ANGELES — April 24, 2008 — For Immediate Release — PorchLight Home Entertainment (PHE) will launch a new label under the PHE umbrella, PorchLight INSPIRE, it was announced today by Gary Jones, president of PHE, and Bruce Johnson, CEO and co-president of PorchLight Entertainment.
Commented Jones, “Since our launch last summer, PorchLight Home Entertainment has already established a reputation for releasing the best in children’s and family programming on DVD. The PorchLight INSPIRE label will highlight programming that is inspirational, faith based and family friendly, with a prominent spiritual message.”
Added Johnson, “PorchLight INSPIRE reflects our ongoing commitment to making and distributing high quality, faith-based programs. We could not be more excited than to be launching this new label.”
The first title slated for release on the new label is Adventures From the Book of Virtues: Adventures in Faith, never before available on DVD. This popular and award-winning animated television series, which aired on PBS, was produced by PHE’s parent company PorchLight Entertainment, a leading producer and distributor of high-quality children’s and family entertainment.
Also, in first quarter 2009, PorchLight INSPIRE will launch the Christian version of Jay Jay the Jet Plane on DVD for the first time. The Christian series has been re-imagined and was also produced by PHE’s parent company PorchLight Entertainment. PorchLight developed and produced the original, secular version of the hugely popular PBS series.
Other titles on PorchLight INSPIRE will be announced soon.
Based on the #1 bestseller The Book of Virtues, by William J. Bennett, Adventures From the Book of Virtues enlightens, inspires and sparks the imagination of families everywhere, while illustrating a central theme through classic international heroes and stories. Programs illuminate the core virtues of honesty, compassion, responsibility, courage, self-discipline, work, friendship, loyalty, perseverance and faith. Stories are seen through the eyes of young Zach and Annie, who live in Spring Valley and deal with the same pressures and situations faced by kids everywhere.
Adventures From the Book of Virtues: Adventures in Faith includes two episodes.
In The Good Samaritan: A Story of Compassion, an immigrant family loses their home in a terrible fire. Zach decides there is nothing he can do to help, but Plato tells the classic Bible story of “The Good Samaritan” and Zach learns the real meaning of compassion. Also includes the Roman legend “Androcles and the Lion.” In Harriet Tubman: A Story of Faith, Annie’s elderly friend and neighbor dies suddenly and Annie questions the use of faith and the virtues it inspires. This leads Plato to tell the story of how American heroine Harriet Tubman’s faith inspired her to lead slaves through the underground railroad to Canada during the Civil War. Also includes the Bible story “Daniel in the Lion’s Den.”
Pre-order is July 9 and street date is August 12. Suggested retail price is $12.98. Running time is approximately 49 minutes. Catalog # is 1035.
About PorchLight Home Entertainment:
Launched in early 2007, PorchLight Home Entertainment (PHE) is a division of PorchLight Entertainment. PHE emphasizes positive family values, informing as well as entertaining. Among the titles being distributed by PHE are: LeapFrog’s holiday special, A Tad of Christmas Cheer; The Family Holiday; the award-winning Wheels on the Bus series; Little Playdates series; Travel With Kids series; and the upcoming release of the classic PBS series Adventures From the Book of Virtues.
In spring 2008, PHE launched the Porchlight INSPIRE label, featuring inspirational and faith-based children’s and family entertainment.
About PorchLight Entertainment:
PorchLight Entertainment is a multi-faceted company focused on the production and distribution of high-quality entertainment and licensing and merchandising representation for children’s and family brands and trademarks. Since its formation in 1995 by veteran entertainment executives Bruce D. Johnson and William T. Baumann, PorchLight has built a large and diverse distribution library of nearly 200 movies, over 1,000 episodes of children’s programs and a growing non-fiction and music programming library. PorchLight has produced more than 40 live-action and animated movies and major animated series including Tutenstein, the multiple Emmy Award-winning series, for Discovery Kids; Jay Jay the Jet Plane for PBS; Adventures From The Book of Virtues for PBS; and a direct-to-video series for LeapFrog, the leading electronic toy company. The company is currently co-producing Animalia for PBS; The Tutenstein Movie for Discovery Kids; and The Secret Adventures of Zak Saturday for Cartoon Network. For more information, visit www.porchlight.com.
Contact:
PorchLight Home Entertainment
Vicki Greenleaf
Greenleaf & Associates — 323-660-5800
vicki@greenleafandassociates.com
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