PASADENA, Calif.–(ENTERTAINMENT WIRE)–July 11,2000–Critically-acclaimed independent filmmaker Kevin Smith will host a special episode of SCI FI’s short Exposure film series focusing on the impact director George Lucas and his film Star Wars has had on a generation of filmmakers. The episode, airing Wednesday, August 23 at 10 pm ET, will be hosted by Kevin Smith from his famed Red Bank, New Jersey comic book store and will feature the world television premiere of Lucas’ short film “Freheit.”

Additionally included are cinematic nods to Lucas’ influence on filmmakers including Joe Nussbaum’s “George Lucas in Love,” a nine-minute parody of the hit movie Shakespeare in Love, that became an instant online must-see classic. Exposure’s special tribute episode will also feature the television premieres of Steve Dooher’s “Searching for Carrie Fisher,” about the director’s search for his childhood crush, and the edgy Star Wars spoof “Tripping the Rift,” by director Chris Moeller. Exclusive interviews with twenty-seven year old Nussbaum, Joe Levy (producer of the “George Lucas in Love”), as well as Kevin Smith will also be included.

As an avid fan of Star Wars and an outspoken voice in the world of independent filmmaking, Kevin Smith was a natural pick for the role of host of the special episode. He is the director of Clerks, Mallrats, Chasing Amy and Dogma, and the owner of “Jay and Silent Bob’s Secret Stash,” a comic-book store located in his hometown of Red Bank, New Jersey.

There is no doubt about George Lucas’ impact on the world of filmmaking. Star Wars, released in May of 1977, was an instant hit with moviegoers and continues to be one of the defining films of the genre. The Exposure tribute will take a look at the dawning of Lucas’ brilliant career through a film he completed as a student at the University of Southern California, “Freheit.” Exposure’s airing of this film about the Vietnam War, marks its world television premiere. As a special tie-in, SCI FI will air another one of Lucas’ student film shorts “Electronic Labyrinth” during the July 26th episode of Exposure.

Featuring the short works of students, up-and-comers, and leading professionals, Exposure is SCI FI’s response to a new era of students, artists, inventors and multimedia creators – the pioneering force behind the ever-evolving craft of filmmaking. As well as showcasing the hottest sci-fi talent you’ve never seen, Exposure gives viewers the chance to see early works by, and interviews with, cinema masters who got their start through the short film medium. Additionally, SCIFI.COM offers an in-depth, cross-platform experience for viewers through an extensive Web area devoted to interactive elements of the on-air show, interviews and a growing multimedia library of sci-fi shorts.

SCI FI Channel, owned and operated by USA Cable, a division of USA Networks, Inc.’s Entertainment unit (NASDAQ: USAI), transmits fantastic images to over 63 million human homes. Launched in 1992, SCI FI features a continuous stream of cinematic hits, new and original series, and special events, as well as classic sci-fi, fantasy, and horror programming. Check out SCIFI.COM, the SCI FI Channel’s award-winning Web site, at www.scifi.com.

After months of indecision, director/writer Cameron Crowe, whose last film was 1996 Oscar Nominee Jerry Maguire, has settled on a name for his latest effort: Almost Famous. The DreamWorks release, due Sept. 15 in select markets, is an autobiographical coming-of-age tale set in the ’70’s based on Crowe’s adventures as a teenage music reporter for Rolling Stone. Some of the rejects: Stillwater (the name of the band in the film), The Uncool, My Black Pages, Something Real, and even Untitled. Says Crowe, “I had a box on the set for crew members to make suggestions, and there were 150 of those. But none of the other titles captured the fun and the spirit of the movie. Almost Famous describes nearly everyone in it.”

As the proud recipient of one of Kevin Smith’s alternative, “Asiieee, the Jury” awards [Reverse Angle, May], please note that, as instructed, I’ve already asked our domestic theatrical distributor to include Kevin’s suggested “slug” – “Winner: Kev’s Sundance Also-Ran Trophy”- on the poster when we appear in the theater near you, July 14th.

On the other hand, how do I explain to them that this is an award bestowed by the creative genius behind-dare I say? – Mallrats?

So, while I hardly begrudge Mr. Smith and his recent, shall we say, oeuvre of Mallrats, Chasing Amy and Dogma (does one critic’s word, “superficial” come to mind?) I resent he judging our film, Shadow Hours, “worst movie of the fest” after he and his fellow jurors lauded the farfetched Girlfight.

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PETER MCALEVEY Producer, Shadow Hours, Malibu

By Steven J. Stark

PASADENA (The Hollywood Reporter) — HBO and Miramax Television announced Monday a project with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon titled “Greenlight,” in which an aspiring filmmaker will receive about $1 million and the opportunity to direct their first feature. The process will be chronicled by HBO.Development of the movie will be shown in a 13-episode, half-hour “reality” series on HBO, which starts with Damon and Affleck picking the winner and concludes with the first-time director walking down a red carpet for the movie’s premiere, Miramax Television president Billy Campbell said. The winning filmmaker will also get to pick the brains of other directors who found success with their first projects, including Robert Rodriguez, Kevin Smith and Kevin Williamson. “Once we got it to the point where it made sense, we took it to Matt and Ben,” Campbell said. “The idea stands on its own, but Matt and Ben had a close relationship with (Miramax co-chairman) Harvey Weinstein.” HBO original programming president Chris Albrecht said “Greenlight” is “sort of like the real-life version of ‘Action,’ which we developed and Fox ruined.” Campbell said that since he arrived at Miramax from CBS in September 1998 to create the studio’s TV division, his goal has been to bring that division and the well-known movie unit together on a project. Campbell said the contest to find the lucky first-time filmmaker will begin in the fall. The selection of a screenplay and preproduction will start early next year, shooting will commence in the spring, and the movie is expected to be released in early 2002. “The goal is, if we can, to have the movie release coincide with the launch of the series,” Campbell said. “If we can pull it off, we would have the last episode be that red-carpet experience for the director.” “Greenlight” was created by Alex Keledjian and developed by Miramax Television vp Eli Holzman and Pearl Street Prods. vp Kent Kubena, the executives who brought in the project. Aspiring directors can submit screenplays to the “Greenlight” Web site, www.projectgreenlight.com.

Writer Kevin Smith recently stopped by DC’s official message boards to give readers and update and answers some concerns regarding his upcoming – though long-in-development – Green Arrow series

According to Smith, his tenure on the new ongoing title will be 12 issues. It will not be a 12-issue maxi-series as has been previously reported, including here at Newsarama. Posted Smith : “When I leave (which apparently at least a few of you are already itching for me to do), the new writer will pick up the book with issue 13.

Smith then went on to address other concerns…

“Why has it taken this long to get to? Yes – I`ve been busy with other stuff. But DC could`ve went forward with another writer at least two years ago, and opted not to. I never told them to hold out for me (until Bob Schreck came aboard; then I begged him to wait). The folks in charge seem to think the wait has paid off, as I turned in my outline for the year-long run on the book, and they were pretty happy with it.

“I just turned in the full script for issue two this afternoon, and the art team (that`ll be announced at San Diego) is already nearly done with issue one. If we keep this schedule up, any interested parties (i.e. – you guys) will have it in your hands around the first of the year.

“Of the storyline, I`ll say only this: if you`re a long-time Green Arrow fan, you`re going to be happy. If you`re a long-time DCU fan, you`re going to be happy. If you`re one of those anal-retentive belly-achers that hates everything and believes they can do a better job, you`re not going to like it. If you didn`t like my run `Daredevil` over at Marvel, you`re probably not going to like this either.

“But love or hate the story, you`re going to dig the art. The guys fleshing out the not-too-wordy scripts (I think I`ve become a better comic book writer, thanks to the eight issue run on `DD` with Joe Quesada`s tutelage, and the Schreck-monster`s steady but gentle editorial hand) have shown me pages, and they`re top-notch, fan-boy-jeans-creaming stuff.

“So I`m sorry it`s taken us (or rather, ME) this long to finally get this puppy underway, but I think the wait has paid off. Like the `DD` run, this doesn`t ruin any continuity, nor does it make `GA` runs of old irrelevant. Our story takes its cues from what`s went before, and manages to tell a tale that will hopefully stand shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the fave Green Arrow story arcs which have made the Emerald Archer our collective hero of choice in the DCU.”

By MICHAEL FLEMING

After Harrison Ford declined to take the role of Jack Ryan for a third time, it seemed that the franchise might come to a halt, but Paramount Pictures is working quickly toward a deal with Ben Affleck to replace him.

Affleck would take over the role of the CIA analyst in “The Sum of All Fears,” the Tom Clancy bestseller that was adapted by Akiva Goldsman and rewritten by Paul Attanasio specifically for Ford. The drama pits Ryan against terrorists who plan to nuke the Super Bowl in hopes of starting a war against Russia.

Source said everything is contingent on Affleck making a deal, but the script will likely be reworked. It’s unclear whether Philip Noyce will return. The helmer directed Ford in “Patriot Games” and “Clear and Present Danger” and was ready to do his third film with Ford this fall.

Since Ford is the most successful movie franchise star of this era, his absence was a blow to the studio. Still, Par and producer Mace Neufeld’s courtship of Affleck makes some sense, since Ford didn’t originate the Ryan role.

Alec Baldwin starred in “The Hunt for Red October,” but declined to star in the first sequel, preferring to star in “A Streetcar Named Desire” on Broadway.

When Ford decided not to go forward with “Sum of All Fears,” Paramount was on the hook for millions of dollars in book rights and scripting fees — wasted money if the project were abandoned. Affleck’s age and youthful draw makes it possible to draw a new audience to the series, which can go on for numerous installments if audiences buy him in the part. Affleck’s repped by CAA.

Ben Affleck is likely to become the third actor to play CIA analyst Jack Ryan in a movie, replacing Harrison Ford in Paramount’s production of Tom Clancy’s bestseller The Sum of All Fears, Daily Variety reported today (Tuesday). The role of Ryan was originally played by Alec Baldwin in The Hunt for Red October. Ford had opted out of the latest sequel.