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Women’s History Month: Greater Diversity in Hollywood

March is not only a time to welcome the springtime but also a month to celebrate women worldwide as it is Women’s History Month! There have been a lot of women who have contributed to the film industrywhether through directing, screenwriting, etc. A great example would be Tamar Simon Hoffs, who is well-known for her work in the film Red Roses and Petrol (2003) that was distributed by World Wide Motion Pictures (WWMPC). Hoffs is particularly interesting as she is the first woman to receive credit for playing all three roles of director, writer, and producer for the major studio film, The Allnighter (1987).

Despite the great strides women in the film industry have accomplished, there has been a problem for both genders in Hollywood―diversity. As a result, to commemorate Women’s History Month, why not discuss the growth in diversity amongst actresses throughout the years? Here are two amazing actresses that have made significant contributions to the diversity in Hollywood!

Viola Davis

First off would be Academy Award Golden Globe and Emmy award actress, Viola Davis! Since 2014, Davis has been in the popular TV drama How to Get Away with Murder, and in 2015 she became the first black woman of any nationality to win the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series. Her portrayal in the TV drama also won her two SAG Awards in 2015 and 2016. In 2012, she was listed by Time as one of the 100 most influential people in the world. And Sunday she won her first Academy Award, for her role in "Fences."

 

Constance Wu

Another actress that promotes diversity would be Constance Wu! Wu is known for her role as Jessica Huang in the ABC comedy series Fresh Off the Boat. It is a known fact that there is a limited number of Asian actors in Hollywood and Wu is well-known to speak her thoughts regarding this matter. For instance, in one of her interviews with Entertainment Weekly, she stated “[Diversity] doesn't mean we want the white people to write Asian stories. What I want is to foster the Asian-American writers and directors and producers and actors...foster their stories to come into the spotlight a little bit.”

It is great to see the growth that women in the film industry, especially in Hollywood, have accomplished. Although there still exist problems and obstacles actresses have to face, they have indeed come a long way! Let’s clap our hands for the actresses out there who continue to push through these obstacles and help pave the way for other women in the industry or those interested in joining.

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A Great “Happy Birthday” to Greta Scacchi!

February 18th is not only Thumbs Appreciation day but, is also the birthday of Italian-Australian actor Greta Scacchi! An actress that has accumulated awards throughout her acting career, she has thoroughly demonstrated her strong skills and talent. In 1996, she won an Emmy Award for her work as Empress Alexandra Fyodorovna of Russia in the television film, Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny (1996) and has also been nominated for multiple Emmy Awards and Golden Globes throughout the years.

Not only is Greta Scacchi a great actress but she is also a passionate humanitarian. Scacchi is an active supporter of campaigns and organizations that promote environmental causes. For instance, she has supported organizations such as Greenpeace and Christian Aid in their combat for climate change awareness. In 2007, as a spokesperson for Christian Aid, she spoke from the stage at the Cut the Carbon rally in Cardiff, Wales and in 2009, she met NASA’s James Hansen and Bishop of Liverpool to protest about the advance of E.ON’s plans for coal-fueled power stations. Not only that but, in the same year, 2009, she posed nude with a codfish to promote the documentary End of the Line (2009), a film exposing the effects of overfishing.

In one of her more recent films, Ways to Live Forever (2010) that was distributed by World Wide Motion Pictures (WWMPC), she combines both her acting talents and passion as a humanitarian in her role as the main character’s tutor, Mrs. Willis. In this film, she inspires Sam, the main character who is a 12-year-old boy dying from leukemia, to live his life to the best extent possible. It is a poignant and uplifting film that reminds us all to not fear the uncertainties of life, but rather embrace it. As a way to celebrate Greta Scacchi’s birthday, feel free to check out the film Ways to Live Forever (2010)!

Greta S

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Resident Evil to Spreading Good: Johann Urb

When he’s not too busy being the rugged, handsome Leon Kennedy from “Resident Evil: Retribution,” or guest starring on NCIS, Johann Urb is busy trying to spread good vibes and good looks.

Let’s just say I’m working on getting out a positive and inspiring message about how to live life,” Urb said in an interview with Daman.

And Urb puts his money where his mouth is too. He volunteers with The Greater West Hollywood Food Coalition (GWHFC) an amazing organization that has served food to the homeless every single day, since 1987. Not only do they meet people’s immediate needs, but GWHFC also tries to get people into housing and provides mobile health care.

He also has tried to spread positivity through his Instagram, which features his philanthropy and volunteering efforts, as well as some fun adventures he has out in nature!

The Estonian-American actor art in his genes, the son of a musician, and he started off his career as a model in New York, before eventually studying theater at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute.

He has also starred in many TV shows and movies, including World Wide Motion Pictures’ Rusty Steel, alongside Paul Campbell and Dean Stockwell in this riveting adventure, which is set in Romania on their deceased uncle’s yacht. Some of Johann Urb’s other notable movie and TV appearances include CSI: Miami, NCIS, and Zoolander.

Johann with scuba tank

Happy 40th Birthday to Johann Urb!

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Happy Birthday, Joan Baez – a musician, activist and inspiration for a generation

World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation would like to proudly wish Joan Baez a Happy 76th Birthday. Her strong charisma has led her to be a strong activist in many areas of conflict around the world. Aside from being an activist, she uses her music to inspire peace and understanding wherever she goes.

If we can learn anything from Joan Baez it is that we should be able to help and stand up for people by supporting great and charitable causes. “What’s had meaning in my life is what I have done out in the world for other people, way more than the music, and way more than the money,” says Baez in an interview in the documentary film Welcome to Eden. World Wide recognizes her today for her ceaseless efforts in preserving the small farm which had been located in the heart of South Central Los Angeles. Congratulations once again on another year, Joan Baez. World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation wishes you the best in your future endeavors that are to come.  

joan-baez

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Celebrate National Bird Day: Top 3 Best Singing Birds in the World

Nature lovers, bird lovers, and bird watchers across the country annually recognize National Bird Day on January 5th. On this special day, public awareness and education about the physical and behavioral needs of birds are strengthened in order to improve and promote the welfare of birds kept in captivity. The beauty, songs, and flight of birds have long been sources of human inspiration—especially in films, such as The Nightingale (2013) that was distributed by World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation. The Nightingale (2013) follows the journey of an elderly man and his granddaughter who walk together through China with a cage containing a Nightingale—a small passerine bird best known for its powerful and beautiful song. To commemorate National Bird Day, here are some fun facts about the Top 3 Best Singing Birds in the World.

       bird-asian-koel

At number 3 is the Asian Koel—a member of the Cuckoo family. Asian koels are very vocal with a wide range of calls. They normally sing during the breeding season, from March to August. The male Asian koel has a typical call “ko-ooo” that they repeat in definite intervals. On the other hand, the female bird has a rhythmic “kik-kik-kik” call.

bird-canary

At number 2 is the Canary. The popular canary songbird is named after their native origins, the Canary Islands of Spain. Their songs have a unique pattern and style. Canary birds are masters in imitating the sounds they hear from the surroundings repeatedly as they possess the unique ability to learn instrument tones, musical notes, and sounds of other birds.

bird-nightingale

Finally, at number 1 is, of course, the Nightingale. The common nightingale song is considered to be the most pleasant melodic bird song. Their beautiful song is described in many poems, books, and operas and features rich notes, different sequences, trills, and whistles. To hear the beautiful song of the Nightingale, be sure to check out the movie The Nightingale that is available both on VOD and DVD. As a result, you could become more knowledgeable regarding bird captivity—contributing to the main goal of National Birds Day!

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Time for a Champion: World Wide Motion Pictures Partners with Stop Bullying Now Foundation

World Wide Motion Pictures Corporation is partnering with the Stop Bullying Now Foundation in support of the release of Time for a Champion, a film about an adopted Mexican girl who has to deal with bullying at her new school. This film will bring awareness to the bullying epidemic and give audiences a new perspective -- one of an immigrant girl who is chasing her dream of becoming a track star.

The Stop Bullying Now Foundation is a non-profit organization that raises money for bullying prevention and awareness. Donations are used to provide K-12 schools with professional counseling services as well as speaking assemblies to educate students about the consequences of bullying.

The foundation addresses bullying on multiple fronts. This includes educating teachers and parents as well as students about bullying prevention and how to foster a healthy school environment. They also speak to churches, businesses, and political networking groups in order to make bullying prevention a community-wide effort.

World Wide Motion Pictures encourages you to take a look at Time for a Champion and donate to The Stop Bullying Now Foundation so that you can be a part of solving the bullying problem in America.

Time for a Champion will be available at http://moviestore.wwmpc.com/ on February 24th to coincide with International Stand Up to Bullying day.

stop-bulying-now-foundation