Interview: Zac Efron, Claire Danes and ME AND ORSON WELLES

One of Hollywood's most promising young talents, Zac Efron's career in film and television continues to evolve with challenging roles in exciting projects. Transitioning effortlessly from the small to big screen, the actor is now playing Richard Samuels, a 17-year-old who happens to land a role in a re-imagined production of Julius Caesar from a young director named Orson Welles, in Me and Orson Welles. At the press day for the film, Zac Efron and co-star Claire Danes, who plays Sonja Jones, Welles' assistant and a love interest for both characters, talked about developing their 1930's characters. Q: What made each of you decide to do this film? Zac: It was different and it was a very unique opportunity for me, at the time, and still is. It was something that didn't seem so cut and dry. It wasn't an obvious decision, and even I was a bit surprised, and that's very cool. I hope I can continue to maintain that and have those options. We do this to grow and try new things, and that was exactly what this movie represented for me, so thank God. It came at a perfect time. Claire: The script was wonderful. It's really not that often that you read a script that is immediately engaging, coherent and charming. I loved all of the characters. They were all so detailed and specific. And, Richard Linklater was directing it, and I just love his work. Zac: It seemed ambitious to me. Rick always says we made a screwball comedy about Welles, which is something he would never have done himself. We put him into a movie that he never would have been a part of. Q: Zac, how do you feel about the fact that something you wear usually effects fashion a little bit? Zac: It's all about accessories. I notice people that look good. I notice fashion on other people. I enjoy when people try to look their best. I was always taught to try and look my best. That's my main influence. I'm not looking to influence fashion, any more than the next guy. But, I try to do my best when I'm out representing my movies. Q: Did you like the clothes from the 1930's in the film? Zac: I think I stole some of the stuff. On the last day, they always try to get it out of your trailer, really quick. I always steal some of my wardrobe. I never know what I'm going to need. Q: What kind of research did you do for this role? Did you read the original book? Zac: I read the original book. For my age, I pretty much had the standard knowledge about Orson Welles. I studied him in high school, a little bit before that, and was familiar with a lot of his work, like the War of the Worlds radio broadcast. Coming into this, I thought I was pretty well-read on Orson and then immediately found out that I hadn't even scratched the surface on this guy. Rick Linklater was the one who really filled us in and supplied us with endless literature, articles and old photos. I think I've seen every picture of Orson that ever existed. Q: Were you a fan of his work? Zac: Yeah, definitely Claire: It's hard not to be. Q: What was your first introduction to Orson Welles? Was it through a movie? Claire: I discovered Orson Welles in college. My freshman English professor screened Citizen Kane for us and I ended up writing a 20-page term paper on it. I'm sure that I'm not the only one. Many a term paper is dedicated to Orson Welles. So, I fell in love with him there, and since then I've seen a few other of his films, but didn't realize that he'd been such a revolutionary figure in theater as well, and then radio. He was really a maverick, in so many different mediums, at such a young age. It's mind-boggling. Zac: At 22, he'd done more than anybody could ever dream. Q: He was pretty arrogant at 22, though. Claire: Well, yeah, and rightfully so. The movie talks about the confusion of that. Even Sonja says, "With someone like Orson, you excuse a lot of behavior." It's true. When somebody's ego is in service of really brilliant, innovative work, it's hard to criticize their failures as a human. Q: Zac, what was your first introduction to Orson Welles and when? Zac: I was probably 16. I had worked with a director who said his favorite movie of all time was Citizen Kane and, as a wrap gift, he gave me the DVD. I was definitely fascinated by it and thought it was an incredible movie, but was probably too young to fully appreciate it, at that point. Q: Your character, Richard, has to learn a lesson about dealing with Hollywood-type egos. Have you had to learn any lessons like that? Zac: I think things have changed a little bit. I've never had an experience quite like that. I'd say it was reminiscent of a lot of my early theater experiences. It's pretty cut-throat and there was always another kid to pull from the sidelines, ready to take your place. But, I never experienced a guy quite like Orson. Claire: Not many people have. Q: When preparing for the project, did you just sit and watch The Magnificent Ambersons and then justify it as research? Claire: I didn't with this movie. Zac: This movie predates any of his films. At this point, in Welles career, he hadn't done that. Q: Did you want to just watch any of his films, though? Claire: Netflix is great for that. My husband (actor Hugh Dancy) and I watched a lot of Hitchcock movies in bulk, and there's a lot to be gained from focusing strictly on one artist's canon. I recently presented Robert DeNiro with an award and watched a lot of his movies. It's true that, when you see the work in concentration like that, it's really revealing. Q: Zac, does it give you a sense of accomplishment that, because of your participation in this film, you're going to have a lot of young people out there get introduced to Orson Welles, who maybe never would have? Zac: Exactly. People ask, "What about Orson Welles is going to attract a young audience?" But, what I'm hoping is that the audience that does come is able to enjoy this experience with such an iconic guy. Hopefully, it'll spark their interest and they'll be able to learn more and go find out about Welles and his amazing, very interesting roller coaster career. Q: Your character, Richard, is based on a real person. Did you get to meet him? Zac: No. He's based on a real person, but Rick Linklater was very hands-on, in trying to get as much of his story as we could. All the stuff with setting off the fire alarms was real. Other than that, he steered pretty far away from the real guy. Q: Did you two meet over coffee or anything to talk about your parts before filming? Claire: We rehearsed, mostly with Christian McKay and Rick Linklater, for a few days, and then they rehearsed again with the people in the play within the movie. I wasn't involved with that. Q: Claire, since Sonja wasn't based on a real person, but was a compilation of people, did you base her on anyone you knew? Claire: No. She's written so well. She was really vivid on the page, so I didn't have to stretch my imagination too much. She's bright and she's ambitious. I'm always impressed by that. I always think that's a good thing, especially in that time when woman were discouraged to do that and their goals were more confined and limited. Sonja is pretty brazen. Q: What was it like to rehearse with Christian and develop your characters? Claire: He was great. He adapted it pretty brilliantly. Zac: Originally, he alluded to the fact that he was a bit nervous, coming in with very little experience on film. And, I just remember that, from the second I heard him speak and hung out with him and saw his personality, I'd never felt more confident in a leading man. He's very intelligent and a very quick study. Me and Claire sat in the room on the first day of rehearsals, when he read his lines for the first time as Orson, and were shocked. I was floored. Claire: He'd also played the role on stage, and that was a good foundation for him, but he was playing him much later in life. Zac: He exceeded our wildest expectations. It was absolutely incredible, and even better just to be with him and hang out. He definitely deserves all this. Q: Zac, have you seen any early drafts or songs for Hairspray 2? Zac: No, not at all. Q: Are you going to do it? Zac: You know what? I have not heard anything about it at all. Q: Are you doing Jonny Quest? Zac: Once again, I don't know. Q: You recently wrapped The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud in Vancouver. Who do you play in the film? Zac: I play a character named Charlie, who is the golden boy in his high school, and then his life takes a turn with the death of his little brother. It's a story about how he copes with that, and it's a love story. It's hard to explain. It always comes across like I'm digging graves. Claire: Also, he's just finished filming it. I never know what a movie is about, when I've just done it. I get too close to it and it's fuzzy. Q: Claire, what are you doing next? Claire: I'm doing a movie for HBO, called Temple Grandin (about a woman who became a best-selling author and one of the top scientists in the field of humane livestock handling). ME AND ORSON WELLES opens on November 25th

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Win a Prize Package from IESB's "NINJA ASSASSIN" Sweepstakes!

"Ninja Assassin" is an "R" rated non-stop roller coaster ride filled with truly unrelenting action for ninja fans, action fans and movie fans in general. It has a stylish, very edgy, modern feel that, at the same time, highlights the traditions of the classic ninja films. Directed by James McTeigue ("V for Vendetta") and produced by Andy and Larry Wachowski as well as Joel Silver, it's a visual, visceral experience. Korean pop megastar Rain stars as Raizo, a renegade assassin trained to kill by Lord Ozunu, the merciless leader of a secret society of ninjas. Lord Ozunu is played by veteran martial arts actor Sho Kosugi ("Revenge of the Ninja"), who starred in and choreographed numerous classic ninja films of the 1980s. Rick Yune ("Fast and the Furious" and "Die Another Day") stars as Raizo's rival, Takeshi, and Europol researcher Mika Coretti is played by Naomie Harris ("Pirates of the Caribbean" and "28 Days Later"). Enter IESB's NINJA ASSASSIN sweepstakes for your chance to win some really cool prizes from the film! "NINJA ASSASSIN" In Theaters Wednesday, November 25th Check out the official site located at www.ninja-assassin-movie.com One (1) Grand Prize Winner from IESB will receive: Stealth Ninja BackpackBeanieSilver TeeFull Zip HoodieSet of Ninja Star Push Pins2”x3” TattooSet of 4 Die-Cut Ninja Star Coasters Two (2) Runners Up will receive: Beanie Silver Tee Full Zip Hoodie Set of Ninja Star Push Pins 2”x3” Tattoo Set of 4 Die-Cut Ninja Star Coasters Pictures of Prizes are Below! Be the first to know! Receive exclusive Warner Bros. Movie News Updates! Raizo (Rain) is one of the deadliest assassins in the world. Taken from the streets as a child, he was transformed into a trained killer by the Ozunu Clan, a secret society whose very existence is considered a myth. But haunted by the merciless execution of his friend by the Clan, Raizo breaks free from them...and vanishes. Now he waits, preparing to exact his revenge. In Berlin, Europol agent Mika Coretti (Naomie Harris) has stumbled upon a money trail linking several political murders to an underground network of untraceable assassins from the Far East. Defying the orders of her superior, Ryan Maslow (Ben Miles), Mika digs into top secret agency files to learn the truth behind the murders. Her investigation makes her a target, and the Ozunu Clan sends a team of killers, led by the lethal Takeshi (Rick Yune), to silence her forever. Raizo saves Mika from her attackers, but he knows that the Clan will not rest until they are both eliminated. Now, entangled in a deadly game of cat and mouse through the streets of Europe, Raizo and Mika must trust one another if they hope to survive...and finally bring down the elusive Ozunu Clan. Warner Bros. Pictures presents, in association with Legendary Pictures and Dark Castle Entertainment, a Silver Pictures production, in association with Anarchos Productions, "Ninja Assassin." The film is directed by James McTeigue ("V for Vendetta") from a screenplay by Matthew Sand and J. Michael Straczynski, story by Matthew Sand. Joel Silver, Andy Wachowski, Larry Wachowski and Grant Hill are the producers, with Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni and Steve Richards serving as executive producers. The film stars Korean pop star Rain ("Speed Racer") as the central character, Raizo; Naomie Harris ("Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End") as Europol researcher Mika Coretti; Ben Miles ("V for Vendetta") as Europol Agent Ryan Maslow; legendary martial arts performer Sho Kosugi ("Revenge of the Ninja") as the ruthless leader of the Ozunu Clan; and Rick Yune ("Die Another Day") as Raizo's rival, Takeshi. The behind-the-scenes creative team includes director of photography Karl Walter Lindenlaub, production designer Graham "Grace" Walker, editor Gian Ganziano, editor Joseph Jett Sally, composer Ilan Eshkeri and costume designer Carlo Poggioli. The Wachowski brothers' longtime stunt coordinators Chad Stahelski and David Leitch are also on board as second unit co-directors. Opening on November 25, 2009, the film will be distributed nationwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. Winners will be notified by email! Contest ends November 30, 2009. ame: Email Address: Street Address: City, State: Zip Code: Incomplete entries will be disqualified. Entrants must be over 18 and residents of the United States. Additional rules below apply - RELEASE AND INDEMNIFICATION: BY ENTERING THE SWEEPSTAKES, ENTRANTS RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC. AND EACH OF ITS RESPECTIVE PARENTS, DIVISIONS, AFILIATES, SUBSIDIARIES, AGENTS AND ADVERTISING AGENCIES (COLLECTIVELY, WBEI) FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL LOSSES, DAMAGES, RIGHTS, CLAIMS, AND ACTIONS OF ANY KIND ARISING IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, FROM THE SWEEPSTAKES OR PARTICIPATION IN ANY SWEEPSTAKES-RELATED ACTIVITY (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE REMOVAL FROM THE SITE OF, OR DISCONTINUATION OF ACCESS TO, ANY MATERIALS), OR RESULTING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, FROM ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, USE, OR MISUSE OF ANY PRIZE AWARDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SWEEPSTAKES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE, AS WELL AS CLAIMS BASED ON PUBLICITY RIGHTS, DEFAMATION, AND/OR INVASION OF PRIVACY. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: IN NO EVENT WILL THE WBEI BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR LOSSES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, ARISING OUT OF ANY ACCESS TO AND/OR USE OF THE SWEEPSTAKES SITE, THE DOWNLOADING FROM AND/OR PRINTING MATERIAL DOWNLOADED FROM THE SWEEPSTAKES SITE, THE REMOVAL FROM THE SWEEPSTAKES SITE OF, OR DISCONTINUATION OF ACCESS TO, ANY MATERIALS, OR THE ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, USE, OR MISUSE OF, OR ANY HARM RESULTING FROM THE ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, USE OR MISUSE OF, OR PARTICIPATION IN, ANY PRIZE AWARDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SWEEPSTAKES. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, THE SWEEPSTAKES, ALL PRIZES, AND ALL MATERIALS PROVIDED ON OR THROUGH THE SITE ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

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Exclusive Photo Gallery: Red Carpet Premiere of THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON!

The Los Angeles red carpet premiere of THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON was appropriately held on the night of the new moon on November 16 at the Mann's Village Theater in Westwood. IESB Photographer Rick Chavez was on the red carpet and shot an extensive exclusive photo gallery to share! Cast and crew plus celebrity guests were in attendance that included 50 Cent, Adam Shankman, Alex Meraz, Alice Greczyn, Anna Kendrick, Ashley Greene, Billy Burke, Cameron Bright, Cat Deeley, Charlie Bewley, Chris Weitz, Christian Serratos, Dakota Fanning, Death Cab for Cutie, Edi Gathegi, Elizabeth Reaser, Elle Fanning, Emilie de Ravin, Emma Roberts, Gil Birmingham, Jack Huston, Jackson Rathbone, Jamie Campbell Bower, Jamie Kennedy, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Jennie Garth, Jennifer Love Hewitt, Joan Jett, Julia Jones, Julianne Hough, Justin Chambers, Justin Chon, Justine Wachsberger, Kellan Lutz, Kennedy, Kevin McHale, Kevin Smith, Kirsten Prout, Kristen Stewart, Lea Michele, Madeline Carroll, Mark Salling, Mary Murphy, Meaghan Jette Martin, Michael Sheen , Michael Welch, Nikki Reed, Noot Seear, OK Go, Peter Facinelli, Richie Sambora, Robert Pattinson, Shar Jackson, Stella Maeve, Stephenie Meyer, Taylor Lautner and many more! Click on the image below to view IESB's exclusive photo gallery from the red carpet premiere of THE TWILIGHT SAGA: NEW MOON!

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Win a Prize Package from IESB's "THE BLIND SIDE" Sweepstakes!

"The Blind Side" is a heartwarming, true story that has something for everybody. It is an inspirational film about an unconventional family with a nice mix of humor to serve as counterpoint to the human drama. The film tells Michael Oher's story as a young teen from the projects of Memphis who becomes a high school football player at a suburban Christian academy. He doesn't understand the game of football, but he does understand the value of "family" and protecting their blind side... i.e., things that people can't see coming at them. The real Michael Oher was a first round draft pick last year and is now a rookie for the NFL's Baltimore Ravens. This is not, however, just a football movie. It's an underdog story that we can all relate to. Enter IESB's THE BLIND SIDE sweepstakes for your chance to win some really cool prizes from the film! "THE BLIND SIDE" In Theaters November 20th Check out the official site located at www.theblindsidemovie.com One (1) Grand Prize Winner from IESB will receive: American Apparel Unisex Piped Fleece Track JacketStainless-Steel Insulated Water Bottle (Won’t sweat and won’t leach plastic into your drinks!)Duffle Bag"The Blind Side" Football Key Chain"The Blind Side" Who’s Got Your Back? Men’s Tee"The Blind Side" Who’s Got Your Back? Women’s Tee Two (2) Runners Up will receive: Duffle Bag "The Blind Side" Football Key Chain "The Blind Side" Who’s Got Your Back? Men’s Tee "The Blind Side" Who’s Got Your Back? Women’s Tee Pictures of Prizes are Below! Be the first to know! Receive exclusive Warner Bros. Movie News Updates! Sandra Bullock ("The Proposal"), Tim McGraw ("Friday Night Lights") and Oscar® winner Kathy Bates ("Misery") star in Alcon Entertainment and Warner Bros. Pictures' "The Blind Side," which depicts the remarkable true story of All-American football star Michael Oher. Teenager Michael Oher (Quinton Aaron) is surviving on his own, virtually homeless, when he is spotted on the street by Leigh Anne Tuohy (Sandra Bullock). Learning that the young man is one of her daughter's classmates, Leigh Anne insists that Michael-wearing shorts and a t-shirt in the dead of winter-come out of the cold. Without a moment's hesitation, she invites him to stay at the Tuohy home for the night. What starts out as a gesture of kindness turns into something more as Michael becomes part of the Tuohy family despite the differences in their backgrounds. Living in his new environment, the teen faces a completely different set of challenges to overcome. And as the family helps Michael fulfill his potential, both on and off the football field, Michael's presence in the Tuohys' lives leads them to some insightful self-discoveries of their own. "The Blind Side" is directed by John Lee Hancock ("The Rookie"), who also wrote the screenplay based on the book The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game by Michael Lewis. Gil Netter, Andrew A. Kosove and Broderick Johnson produced the film with Molly Smith, Erwin Stoff and Timothy M. Bourne serving as executive producers. Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw star as Leigh Anne and Sean Tuohy, and Kathy Bates stars as Michael Oher's dedicated tutor, Miss Sue. Quinton Aaron is introduced in the central role of Michael Oher. The film also stars young actors Lily Collins and Jae Head as the Tuohy children, Collins and S.J., respectively. The behind-the-scenes creative team is led by director of photography Alar Kivilo, two-time Oscar®-nominated production designer Michael Corenblith ("Apollo 13," "How the Grinch Stole Christmas"), editor Mark Livolsi, costume designer Daniel Orlandi and composer Carter Burwell. "The Blind Side" is a presentation of Alcon Entertainment and will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company. "The Blind Side" has been rated PG-13 by the MPAA for "one scene involving brief violence, drug and sexual references." Winners will be notified by email! Contest ends November 23rd! Name: Email Address: Street Address: City, State: Zip Code: Incomplete entries will be disqualified. Entrants must be over 18 and residents of the United States. Additional rules below apply - RELEASE AND INDEMNIFICATION: BY ENTERING THE SWEEPSTAKES, ENTRANTS RELEASE AND HOLD HARMLESS WARNER BROS. ENTERTAINMENT INC. AND EACH OF ITS RESPECTIVE PARENTS, DIVISIONS, AFILIATES, SUBSIDIARIES, AGENTS AND ADVERTISING AGENCIES (COLLECTIVELY, WBEI) FROM AND AGAINST ANY AND ALL LOSSES, DAMAGES, RIGHTS, CLAIMS, AND ACTIONS OF ANY KIND ARISING IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, FROM THE SWEEPSTAKES OR PARTICIPATION IN ANY SWEEPSTAKES-RELATED ACTIVITY (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE REMOVAL FROM THE SITE OF, OR DISCONTINUATION OF ACCESS TO, ANY MATERIALS), OR RESULTING DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, FROM ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, USE, OR MISUSE OF ANY PRIZE AWARDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SWEEPSTAKES, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION PERSONAL INJURY, DEATH, AND/OR PROPERTY DAMAGE, AS WELL AS CLAIMS BASED ON PUBLICITY RIGHTS, DEFAMATION, AND/OR INVASION OF PRIVACY. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY: IN NO EVENT WILL THE WBEI BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES OR LOSSES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES, ARISING OUT OF ANY ACCESS TO AND/OR USE OF THE SWEEPSTAKES SITE, THE DOWNLOADING FROM AND/OR PRINTING MATERIAL DOWNLOADED FROM THE SWEEPSTAKES SITE, THE REMOVAL FROM THE SWEEPSTAKES SITE OF, OR DISCONTINUATION OF ACCESS TO, ANY MATERIALS, OR THE ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, USE, OR MISUSE OF, OR ANY HARM RESULTING FROM THE ACCEPTANCE, POSSESSION, USE OR MISUSE OF, OR PARTICIPATION IN, ANY PRIZE AWARDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE SWEEPSTAKES. WITHOUT LIMITING THE FOREGOING, THE SWEEPSTAKES, ALL PRIZES, AND ALL MATERIALS PROVIDED ON OR THROUGH THE SITE ARE PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, AND NON-INFRINGEMENT.

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