Celebrities Stand with LGBTQ Students and Point Foundation

 Actress Kathryn Hahn (L) and Point Executive Director & CEO Jorge Valencia at Point Honors Los Angeles 2017, benefiting Point Foundation, at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on October 7, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Point Honors)

More than 450 guests and celebrities filled the Beverly Hilton Hotel to support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer (LGBTQ) students at Point Honors Los Angeles. Point Foundation (Point), the evening's beneficiary, is the nation's largest scholarship-granting organization for LGBTQ students. 

The gala evening also included an announcement by Wells Fargo of $1.8 million in continued support for Point.

Wanda Sykes was presented with the Point Legend Award by Anthony Anderson for having achieved greatness in her career and unapologetically supporting the LGBTQ community. Writer, director, and producer Jill Soloway received the Impact Award, presented by Kathryn Hahn, for the impact Soloway has made on improving the lives of the LGBTQ community. Wilson Cruz, via video message from New York, was accorded the Point Courage Award for his advocacy work on behalf of the LGBTQ community.

Honoree Wanda Sykes at Point Honors Los Angeles 2017, benefiting Point Foundation, at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on October 7, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Rich Polk/Getty Images for Point Honors)

Comedian Michelle Collins hosted the buoyant evening with a special performance by Adam Lambert accompanied by a live band. 

Host Michelle Collins at Point Honors Los Angeles 2017, benefiting Point Foundation, at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on October 7, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Point Honors)

Previous honorees, Neal Baer, Greg Louganis, Pete Nowalk, and Adam Shankman, also attended, along with celebrities Tyler Alvarez, Hayden Byerly, Jay Duplass, Judith Light, Trace Lysette, Benjamin Patterson, Brandon Stansell, Jacob Tobia, JJ Totah, and Rain Valdez. 

"Thank you to tonight's honorees for inspiring our scholars and to all the celebrities who joined us to champion equality in education for LGBTQ students," said Jorge Valencia, Executive Director and CEO of Point Foundation. 

The evening featured an especially encouraging demonstration of support when representatives from Wells Fargo presented Point with a check for $1.8 million. The funding continues the company's support of Point's new Community College Scholarship program, scholarships for Point Scholars in four-year and advanced degree programs, and Point's leadership development programs and conferences.

"Wells Fargo is thrilled to continue our support for Point Foundation, especially the new Community College Program," said Gigi Dixon, Director of Strategic Partnerships for Wells Fargo. "This program will fill critical gaps and allow aspiring LGBTQ students to reach their educational goals and achieve their full potential. This impacts not just the scholars themselves, but also their families and communities." 

"For more than a decade Wells Fargo has joined with Point Foundation to help LGBTQ students work toward earning their higher education degree," said Jorge Valencia, Executive Director and CEO of Point Foundation. "Wells' significant investment in the LGBTQ community is also an important catalyst for encouraging the generosity of other donors, as we saw at Point Honors, with hundreds of thousands raised in additional support for LGBTQ students."

Point Foundation Scholarship Recipients at Point Honors Los Angeles 2017, benefiting Point Foundation, at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on October 7, 2017 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images for Point Honors)

Point Honors Los Angeles Sponsors:
Presenting: Hilton, Wells Fargo
Premier: HSBC
Principal: AT&T, Cadillac, Citizen Relations, HBO
National Media: OUT
Local Media: Los Angeles Blade 

Point Honors Los Angeles 2017

SOURCE: Point Foundation

America Still Kno-o-ows His Name! Ted Danson Shares His Path to Finding Balance, Love and Success in the October/November AARP The Magazine

AARP The Magazine October/November Issue Featuring Ted Danson

Ted Danson's career may have been at a peak playing the shallow, philandering bartender Sam Malone in Cheers, one of the most beloved TV shows of all time. But when he officially closed the "bar" in 1993, his personal life was approaching a nadir. In an exclusive interview with AARP The Magazine (ATM), the Emmy-award winner, now 69, shares why his happiest years have come after his hair went gray. 

Danson reveals his secrets to making the second half of life the richest part by finding balance, whether it's accepting that life will be messy, fighting fear with gratitude, or embracing the challenges of work when many of those around you are younger.

"It's like, the coach still puts you in the game, but you have to stay up later and work harder. That's cool," says Danson.

The actor also reveals to AARP his personal thoughts on aging; the deep connection and devotion he has to his wife, Mary Steenburgen; and his secrets to late-career success. Plus Danson discusses how Mary has helped him overcome the daily anxieties he has faced much of his life, from finding jobs to keeping his family happy and healthy.

The following are excerpts from the October/November issue of the ATM cover story featuring Ted Danson, available in homes starting October 1st and available online now at aarp.org/magazine.

Selections from Ted Danson's Cover Story in the October/November issue of AARP The Magazine

• On his secret to late-career success 

"My philosophy is, don't hang on to whatever degree of success or celebrity you have," he explains. "Find the smartest people you can and work with them, even if it means taking a smaller role. Get lost in something that inspires you. Find the people who can make you a better person. That's how you stay fresh.

In my case, I'm working with the most creative people in the world, and they have a project they just have to do—come hell or high water. I want to be part of that. If some writer gets hired to make something for Ted Danson, they won't have the same degree of creative passion. If you're Seinfeld or somebody like that, you can do it, but if you're just an actor for hire like me, you need to go find the best play to be in."

• On accepting that life will be messy 

"If I had made one step differently or corrected my mistakes – which are cringers – would I take that away if it were to alter anything about where I am now? No. Life is just messy. The older I get, the more I see it's OK to be imperfect. Because you can still grow and make changes in your life. It's not like you're finished at 70 or 75."

• Ted on Aging 

"Age is a marker, but it's not everything," he says. "What we're capable of has a lot more to do with our determination, our creativity and our passion than the number of candles on the cake. While you're living your life, it really doesn't mean that much unless you allow it to. 

When you're getting older, you definitely bump into 'I'm diminishing,' but that's usually what you think about when you're in the middle of a passage, not when you've landed into whatever the new age is. When you're 37, you go, 'Oh my god, I'm not 25 anymore. How horrible.' Then you're 55, and you go, 'I hope I'm still relevant. I hope I can still run with the bulls.' Then you get past that, and you start to really enjoy being around younger people. You're not competitive anymore. You just kind of marvel."

• On his relationship with his wife 

"I like the way Mary laughs and smiles," he says. "I like her willingness to say yes to leap off tall buildings of life. I love her sense of fairness and right and wrong. And I don't think you're supposed to say this when you're almost 70, but she's very sexy." 

• Actress Kristen Bell on Ted and Mary's relationship 

"It's almost intimidating spending time with Ted and Mary because of how solid and loving and connected they are," says Kristen Bell, Danson's costar in The Good Place. "Honestly, it's beautiful how they obsess over each other."

• On his friendship with Bill and Hillary Clinton 

The guest list at Danson and Steenburgen's 1995 wedding on Martha's Vineyard included Tom Hanks, Woody Harrelson, James Taylor and Laura Dern, and a pair of old Arkansas pals of Steenburgen's named Bill and Hillary. 

Ted and Mary and the Clintons frequently see each other, but it's rarely to discuss politics. "We talk about anything and everything," Danson says, "but mainly it's Mary and Hillary talking about movies and books and now mostly grandchildren."

• On working through his anxiety 

Danson credits Steenburgen with helping him quiet down an undercurrent of anxiety that no level of fame or success can quite squelch.

"There's always fear, and it's all the human stuff," he says. "Jobs, work, money, kids, health. Usually, when I have a fearful thought, I flip it into gratitude. Like, if I think, Oh dear, where's Mary? She's not home. Something must have happened, I tell myself, Thank God I have the opportunity to be married to a woman whom I love so much. Because that love is what makes me afraid that she might be hurt or something. I tell myself, Aren't you lucky?"

• On the value of money 

"The unspoken message I got as a child was that we had nothing," he says. "We didn't have TVs, I looked like a ragamuffin. My clothes were all hand-me-downs. My dad worked and there was enough money for the necessities, but getting more and more money was never a goal.

My philosophy is that you are a tube for money," he says. "It just comes through you, and as long as you don't panic, stay happy and grateful, appreciate what you have and know what you want to do, it'll come."

About AARP The Magazine
With more than 37 million readers, AARP The Magazine is the nation's largest circulation magazine – and the definitive lifestyle publication – for Americans 50 and older. AARP The Magazine delivers targeted content in three demographic versions – for readers age 50 to 59, 60 to 69 and 70-plus – including health and fitness features, financial guidance, consumer information and tips, celebrity interviews, and book and movie reviews. AARP has been publishing a magazine for members since its founding in 1958. AARP The Magazine is published bimonthly in print and continually online. 

AARP national logo. (PRNewsFoto/AARP)

SOURCE: AARP

stillalive's Drone Swarm Takes Flight at 451 Media for Series Adaptation

DRONE SWARM: 451 Media Group plans graphic novel and TV content

Today, experienced game developer stillalive studios and remote control productions GmbH (RCP), Europe's leading game production house, announced that they are partnering with Michael Bay's 451 Media Group to collectively develop the forthcoming sci-fi strategy game DRONE SWARM as original graphic novel and TV content targeted as a long form series for broadcast and streaming services.

"We are super excited to partner with the 451 team as we were looking for exactly their kind of passion and great talent to collaboratively expand the universe of DRONE SWARM beyond the videogame," said Julian Mautner, Founder and CEO of stillalive studios.

"When David Lee, Head of New Business over at 451, introduced us to the 451 team we knew DRONE SWARM had found the perfect home with 451's partners. The level of expertise they bring to the project from the printed page to the big screen will take the DRONE SWARM property to the next level," said Stefan Kreutzer, BD Manager of remote control productions GmbH.

"This is an incredible opportunity that allows RCP and 451 to creatively join forces during a key phase of the game's early development that will allow us to expand and deepen the game's storyline as a standalone long form series," said Doug Nunes, CEO of 451. "Working with the level of premium writers and artists that 451 is known for together with RCP and stillalive's team of top notch developers gives us an extraordinary opportunity to leverage their incredible skillset, visuals and gameplay and dovetail it into a dramatic sci-fi adventure series that will re-define the genre."

The game's storyline revolves around an onslaught of renegade hordes of alien drone swarms controlled by a mysterious unknown force that practically destroys our planet. In our fight to survive the devastation, mankind has found a way to gain control of the attacking alien technology and incorporates the drone swarm into their own ships to thwart future attacks as the survivors set out to look for a new home and rebuild the planet we've lost and, with it, the future of humanity. 

The gameplay involves the user controlling thousands of drones to fight, explore and invest in research to get more powerful abilities as the player achieves different levels within the game.

DRONE SWARM is a coup of the highest order for 451 that has grown from a comic publisher of high-end original IP to a VR producer for leading brands like Samsung and Nokia, to a fully vertical tech incubator and investor in emerging mixed reality companies such as Holor and Ion360. 

DRONE SWARM: stillalive studios and remote control productions' hit game

About remote control productions

remote control productions (rcp) is an independent production house representing Europe's biggest family of game developers with 14 studios across 4 countries, a gamification unit and an in-house publisher. 

Since 2005 the Munich-based company together with its teams has shipped more than 100 games for all major platforms including Angry Birds Evolution, Angry Birds Epic, Sacred Legends, Ostwind (Windstorm), John Woo's Bloodstroke, Knights of Valour or Pet Hotel. 

• For more information, visit www.r-control.de

About stillalive studios
stillalive studios is an Innsbruck-based game developer and creator of the critically acclaimed and early VR compatible adventure game SON OF NOR. Founded in 2010 their experienced and enthusiastic team focuses on combining entertaining gameplay with technological challenges having a strong tech focus and experience with Unity, Unreal, Steam, VR, Eyetracking, BCI and much more. 

Their latest release was Astragon's hit game Bus Simulator. 

• For more information, visit stillalive-studios.com.

About 451 Media Group
451 Media Group is a technology-focused intellectual property (IP) development & entertainment company. Working with cutting edge technology and highly accomplished talent, 451 is a multi-tiered platform content creator that combines publishing, entertainment, media and technology together with the industry's leading writers, artists and tech visionaries to captivate and engage readers in a unique digital experience. 

451 Media Group was co-founded by Michael Bay, Anthony Gentile, John Gentile and Douglas Nunes. 

• For more information, visit 4five1.com.

SOURCE: stillalive studios; remote control productions GmbH (RCP)

Bonus Video:

451 Media Group Related Link:

• 451 Media Group Storms New York Comic Con with Premiere of New Graphic Novels from Top Hollywood Creators

"Beauty and the Beast," "The Last Tycoon," "Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2" and "Luzia by Cirque De Soleil" Among Costume Winners for the Metropolitan Fashion Awards

Metropolitan Fashion Week

Metropolitan Fashion Week (MetroFW) tonight announced winners of its METROPOLITAN FASHION AWARDS honoring outstanding achievements in fashion and costume design in motion pictures, television, and live performance during the 5th Annual Metropolitan Fashion Week's Closing Gala & Fashion Awards at the Arcadia Performing Arts Center. 

The event, hosted by Metropolitan Fashion Week producer EDUARDO KHAWAM, was attended by over 1200 industry VIP's, celebrities, costume and fashion designers.

MARIKA SODERLUND ROBISON (Sweden)
Photo Credit: Greg Doherty/Getty Images

Award presenters included former Miss Universe and star of Telemundo's La Gran Oportunidad, ALICIA MACHADO; Shades of Blue actor ANTONIO JARAMILLO; GRAMMY-Awards Winners Earth, Wind & Fire members VERDINE WHITE and RALPH JOHNSON; Telemundo's STEPHANIE HIMONIDIS "Chiquibaby" (of Acceso Total); actor/singer ROBERT AVELLANET of the International group Menudo; Honey Cone's SHELLY CLARK, among others. 

A special exclusive live performance by Luzia by Cirque du Soleil entertained the audience.

Fashion Designer INOE VARGAS (Mexico)
Photo Credit: Brett Simpson / Dueling Lenses Photography

Winners in the film and television categories included BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (Costume Designer of the Year – Motion Pictures); THE LAST TYCOON winning two awards (Costume Designer of the Year – Television and Outstanding Ensemble - Make-Up Artists and Hair Styling- Television); and GIOVANNA BUZZI (Costume Designer of the Year for Luzia by Cirque du Soleil); and GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL.2 (Outstanding Ensemble for Make-Up Artists and Hair Styling). 

Winners also included MARIA MENOUNOS (Fashion Commentator of the Year), STEPHANE ROLLAND (Fashion Designer of the Year) and STATES OF UNDRESS (Fashion Program of the Year). 

The 2017 METROPOLITAN FASHION AWARD People Choice went to Costume Designer, PAUL TAZEWELL from HAMILTON.

Fashion Designer EMIL GAMPE (Austria)
Photo Credit: Brett Simpson / Dueling Lenses Photography

In addition to the Awards, the Gala showcased a unique, exclusive runway show featuring over 150 one-of-a-kind avant-garde costumes and couture evening gowns, created by national and international celebrity costume and fashion designers including: 

• Fashion Designer BENITO SANTOS (Mexico) 
• Fashion Designer MARIKA SODERLUND ROBISON (Sweden) 
• Fashion Designer BARBARA L ASHLEY (Uganda) 
• Fashion Designer ERICK BENDANA (Nicaragua) 
• Fashion Designer DOUGLAS TAPIA (Venezuela) 
• Fashion Designer EMIL GAMPE (Austria) 
• Fashion Designer CARL ANDRADA (Philippines) 
• Fashion Designer DAVID SANTILLANES (San Diego, CA) 
• Fashion Designer INOE VARGAS (Mexico) 
• Costume Designer RICARDO SOLTERO 
• Fashion Designer FERNANDA PINHEIRO OF GIOVANNI TESTI (Brazil) 
• Fashion Designer DAVID TUPAZ (Las Vegas, NV) 
• Fashion Designer JULIE DANFORTH (Seattle, WA) 
• Fashion Designer JOEY GALON (Los Angeles, CA) 
• Fashion Designer RITA MEZRAHI (Iran-USA) 
• Fashion Designers SHELLI BLACKNELL & TANISHA BOSTON (USA) 
• Fashion Designer XAVIER OTHON (Mexico) 
• Couture Hat Designer ARTURO RIOS (Mexico)

The show is produced and directed by Eduardo Khawam, fashion expert, producer and TV personality for Telemundo, Univisión and the CW and Executive Producer Paul Jaramillo.

2017 METROPOLITAN FASHION AWARD WINNERS ARE:

GIOVANNA BUZZI for Luzia by Cirque du Soleil
Photo Credit: Brett Simpson / Dueling Lenses Photography

COSTUME DESIGNER OF THE YEAR - MOTION PICTURES Beauty and the Beast - Designer: Jacqueline Duran (Disney Motion Picture Studios / Marvel)

COSTUME DESIGNER OF THE YEAR – TELEVISION The Last Tycoon - Designer: Janie Bryant (Amazon Studios)

COSTUME DESIGNER OF THE YEAR - LIVE PERFORMANCE Luzia by Cirque Du Soleil - Designer: Giovanna Buzzi

FASHION COMMENTATOR OF THE YEAR - TELEVISION Maria Menounos - Entertainment Tonight (CBS Paramount Domestic Television)

FASHION DESIGNER OF THE YEAR
Stephane Rolland

FASHION PROGRAM OF THE YEAR
States of Undress - Producer Hailey Gates (Viceland)

OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE FOR MAKE-UP ARTISTS AND HAIR STYLING- MOTION PICTURES Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 - John Blake (Hair) & Camille Friend (Makeup) (Marvel Studios/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)

OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE FOR MAKE-UP ARTISTS AND HAIR STYLING- TELEVISION The Last Tycoon - Theraesa Rivers (Hair) & Lana Horochowski (Makeup) (Amazon Studios)

PEOPLE'S CHOICE
Hamilton - Designer: Paul Tazewell

Metropolitan Fashion Week (Photo credit: Greg Doherty/Getty Images)

SOURCE: Metropolitan Fashion Week

Fashion Designer MARIKA SODERLUND ROBISON (Sweden)
Photo Credit: Brett Simpson / Dueling Lenses Photography

America Haunts Digs Up The Best Haunted Attractions In America Of 2017

Amber Arnett-Bequeaith, of America Haunts — the nation's largest group of creative, high-tech haunted attractions from coast to coast, is also known as the Queen of Haunts. (Photo/Amber Deery Amber) 

America Haunts, the industry leaders that operate the most amazing haunted attractions in America, has dug deep into towns and cities across the nation to bring its 2017 Best of Halloween Attractions list to life.

Bringing the tradition of family-friendly fun, the top haunts have original concepts that touch all your senses. Doing so, visitors intimately experience the creativity around them, rather than walking single file and viewing a scene. Using life-like animatronics, Hollywood-quality sets, hundreds of staffers, elaborate costumes and trained actors, these haunts go the extra creepy mile to give guests the Halloween excitement of their life. It's a pure adrenaline rush!

For example, creepy earthly scents of past or present are infused into the air inside one haunt, while others focus on outdoor formats where guests run into crazy clowns, transforming werewolves, ghosts and other ghouls lurking down every path.

The number one haunt, The Beast in Missouri, is not only mammoth in size but it pioneered the "open format" where guests must face their phobia of getting lost and finding their way out! If you're lucky to escape by the four-story slide, it is a thrill of a lifetime! The question is if…you escape the famous Werewolf Forest!

America Haunts has stringent criteria to earn a spot on its charts and being Monsters at Heart, this board knows what it takes to be the Best! Top attractions - inside haunted houses; outside on dark nature trails or on hayrides to Hell - must be wildest and scariest enough to make the bravest souls cling to friends and family who dare enter with them.

The Best Haunted Attractions List for 2017 from coast to coast:

• Beast (Kansas City)
• Haunted Trail (San Diego)
• 13th Floor (Chicago)
• Headless Horsemen (Ulster Park, NY)
• Fear Farm, (Phoenix)

America Haunts - Facebook Banner

About America Haunts

With more than 28 haunted attractions nationwide, America Haunts delivers fear-based entertainment to more than a million thrill seekers annually. America Haunts is featured on the Travel Channel and members recognized by The Guinness Book of World Records. 

The organization is committed to providing technical excellence, stunning set design, Hollywood-quality make-up, costumes and actors. Members enjoy nothing more than delivering, a good old-fashioned scare.

SOURCE: America Haunts

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Chris Evans, Tom Holland And Casts Of "Captain America", "Spider-Man: Homecoming" To Headline New ACE Comic Con At Gila River Arena

ACE Comic Con Arizona poster featuring Chris Evans and Tom Holland

Chris Evans, star of the worldwide hit Captain America movie franchise, and Tom Holland, who portrays Spider-Man in the Marvel hits "Spider-Man: Homecoming" and "Captain America: Civil War" are headlining the new ACE Comic Con Arizona at Gila River Arena, Jan. 13-15, 2018.

ACE Comic Con Arizona is a division of ACE Universe, a newly launched experiential events company created by brothers Gareb and Stephen Shamus. With 20 years of experience and 175 Comic Con shows under their belts, the brothers are creating a new immersive experience that looks to redefine the industry and break the mold of the linear Comic Con business.

Along with Evans and Holland, other confirmed guests include Sebastian Stan (The Winter Soldier – Captain America), Anthony Mackie (The Falcon – Captain America), Hayley Atwell (Agent Peggy Carter – Captain America), Laura Harrier (Liz – Spider-Man: Homecoming), and Jacob Batalon (Ned – Spider-Man: Homecoming). 

More guests will be announced soon, including superstars from World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). 

• VIP Admissions, Photo Ops and Autographs are on sale now at aceuniverse.com. 
• General Admission Tickets can be purchased online at Ticketmaster (ticketmaster.com) starting at 10 a.m. PST on Tuesday, Oct. 10. 

"When we first went to Gila River Arena, we knew we had found the right home for our next big event," said Gareb Shamus, ACE Universe Chairman and CEO. "We believe the fans will fall in love with this new style of Comic Con and we can't wait for everyone to enjoy everything the weekend will have to offer, which includes the opportunity to watch all of the can't-miss programming on the arena Jumbotron." 

AZ Marvel variant cover - Billy Martin

ACE Universe has secured an exclusive Marvel Comic variant cover to Captain America #495, drawn by Good Charlotte lead guitarist and illustrator Billy Martin. This book is exclusive to box office buyers and VIPs. Martin will be on hand all three days to sign the books, which feature Captain America and Spider-Man, in an homage piece of art to the great Todd McFarlane. 

• ACE Universe also has partnerships across key sectors including technology, media, entertainment, gaming, publishers, manufacturers, licensors and retailers to help create a robust experience for fans. 

• Additionally, ACE Universe will be the first to provide FREE global live streaming to fans with wall-to-wall coverage of the entire Comic Con. Now, all fans can enjoy access to top-tier talent, breaking news and on-site programming as every aspect of the show will be fully streamed, social media friendly, and available on mobile devices. 

"Chris Evans, Tom Holland and the casts of both films are global box office stars that provide fans a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet and greet with their favorite super heroes," said Stephen Shamus, President of ACE Universe. "When you listen to the fans, these are the stars that are most requested, so securing the main cast members from both Marvel franchises makes this a can't miss weekend. We also haven't forgotten the WWE fans, some of the most excitable fans in the world."

ACE Universe logo (PRNewsfoto/ACE Universe)

ACE Comic Con Arizona is the second of the new ACE Comic Cons, with the debut event set to take place at NYCB Live: Home of the Veterans Memorial Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, NY, Dec. 8-10. In addition to these two shows, ACE Universe will announce more 2018 dates, cities and ticket information at aceuniverse.com and on the ACE Comic Con social channels at Facebook.com/acecomicon or @acecomiccon on Instagram and Twitter.

SOURCE: ACE Universe

451 Media Group Storms New York Comic Con with Premiere of New Graphic Novels from Top Hollywood Creators

451 Media Group will exclusively premier nine graphic novels, created by top Hollywood writers of "The Deuce", "X-Men First Class", "The Fast and Furious" and other blockbusters, at this year's New York Comic Con.

451 Media Group, a multi-platform entertainment company, today announced it will exclusively premiere nine graphic novels, previously released only in single issue series, created by some of the most sought-after TV and movie writers at this year's New York Comic Con (NYCC). Co-founded by acclaimed director and producer Michael Bay, 451 delivers an immersive entertainment experience combining cutting edge digital technology with content from some of the Hollywood's top creative minds.

451 Media Group has produced trade paperback editions of all its properties for the first time, nine titles of which will be making their debut at NYCC. Created by marquee Hollywood talent, the titles include:

S6X - From master author/screenwriter George Pelecanos (HBO's The Deuce, The Wire, and The Pacific) comes an explosive tale of war and the lives of six soldiers altered forever, who reunite for one last mission to bring down those who threaten one of their own in a full fury showdown risking everything they have.

"S6X is very visual and character driven," says Pelecanos. "These are very young men and women. And they look like everyday people. That's something that I wanted to write about because I think it's very real and also very important. To me, the graphic novel was the perfect vehicle to take the plunge and dive into the world of sequential art. And it's something that I've wanted to do for a really long time."

"What I love about the world George created is it's both heightened and populated by real human beings. The characters are flawed, wounded and emotionally tangible souls who just happen to be caught up in this operatic but deeply personal war story. S6X is more than just a shoot 'em up — it's about the things people are capable of at their very worst and their very best," says Ashley Miller, the screenwriter of X-MEN FIRST CLASS, THOR who is adapting the book for the big screens.

Red Dog – From Rob Cohen (writer of The Fast and The Furious, xXx and upcoming film Hurricane Heist). Comes an all new sci-fi adventure that follows Kyle, the only child on a distant planet, and his robot dog Red. When Red goes missing in the savage alien landscape, Kyle goes in search of his friend facing dangers beyond imagination and proves no matter how far in space you go, there's no greater bond than one between a boy and his dog.

"RED DOG is my passion project and if I can make it into a movie someday, I will die a happy man," says Cohen. "But more important than that, it has found its form as a graphic novel thanks to the brilliant folks at 451 and a day does not start that I don't look at a copy of to the first issue framed on my wall and smile." 

NVRLND – From the creative minds of the writing team, Stephanie Salyers and Dylan Mulik comes NVRLND a dark and magical re-imagining of PETER PAN set in present-day Hollywood. Wallflower turned wild-child Wendy Darling befriends the fiery Tiger Lily and enters the rave scene of the underground club NVRLND. Intoxicated by music and pixie dust, Wendy falls for the enigmatic Peter, lead singer of The Lost Boys. You think you may know the truth about NVRLND but the truth is you know nothing.

Stained - Meet Emma London: recovery artist and bounty hunter for hire. She is strong, possibly indomitable, and did we mention...part machine. Emma enters dark places that no one else will go to track down the subhuman criminals lurking in the underbelly of society and bring them to justice. From David Baron, 2016 Harvey Nominee and top comic professional spanning over twenty plus years with highlights including GREEN ARROW: YEAR ONE, PLANETARY, THE AUTHORITY, JLA, DETECTIVE COMICS (THE BLACK MIRROR), GREEN LANTERN, DIVINITY and BLOODSHOT: REBORN.

"With Issue one selling out, I couldn't be happier how well STAINED has been received by fans and professionals. I don't think I have ever been more excited for a Con in my 20 year career to premiere STAINED at NYCC 2017," says Baron.

Additional graphic novels premiering from 451:

Self Storage - A Zom-rom-com from Clay McLeod Chapman, the writer of The Boy, Henley, Edge of Spider-Verse and Marvel's Universe Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes.

Humbug - A masterly plotted merry and manic mash-up of SHERLOCK HOLMES and GHOSTBUSTERS from A.J. Gentile, the writers and creators of MICRONAUTS and VISIONARIES.

Sunflower – A psychological thriller from writer Mark Mallouk, writer of Black Mass starring Johnny Depp.

ExMortis – An epic WWII action adventure from the minds of Paul + Pete Williams, VFX gurus behind Avatar, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, and Chronicles of Narnia.

Bad Moon Rising – A wild smash up of The Wolfman and Sons of Anarchy from writer/producer Scott Rosenberg (Con Air, Gone in 60 Seconds, Jumanji 2, Welcome to the Jungle, and the CBS series ZOO).

Learn more about these and other original story titles at 4five1.com.

NYCC brings the best of comics, television, film, exhibitors, celebrities, cosplay, anime, and more to create memorable, uniquely exciting experiences for fans who come from around the world for the ultimate pop culture experience. The annual event will be held on October 5-8, 2017 at the Javits Center in the heart of NYC. Visit 451 Media at Booth #444.

Co-founded by acclaimed director and producer Michael Bay, 451 delivers an immersive entertainment experience combining cutting edge digital technology with content from some of the Hollywood's top creative minds.

About 451 Media Group

451 Media Group is a technology-focused intellectual property (IP) development & entertainment company. Working with cutting edge technology and highly accomplished talent, 451 is a multi-tiered platform content creator that combines publishing, entertainment, media and technology together with the industry's leading writers, artists and tech visionaries to captivate and engage readers in a unique digital experience. 451 Media Group was co-founded by Michael Bay, Anthony Gentile, John Gentile and Douglas Nunes.


SOURCE: 451 Media Group

Could We Build A Blade Runner-Style 'Replicant'?

Image via Sony Pictures

By Fumiya Iida, University of Cambridge

The new Blade Runner sequel will return us to a world where sophisticated androids made with organic body parts can match the strength and emotions of their human creators. As someone who builds biologically inspired robots, I’m interested in whether our own technology will ever come close to matching the “replicants” of Blade Runner 2049.

The reality is that we’re a very long way from building robots with human-like abilities. But advances in so-called soft robotics show a promising way forward for technology that could be a new basis for the androids of the future.

From a scientific point of view, the real challenge is replicating the complexity of the human body. Each one of us is made up of millions and millions of cells, and we have no clue how we can build such a complex machine that is indistinguishable from us humans. The most complex machines today, for example the world’s largest airliner, the Airbus A380, are composed of millions of parts. But in order to match the complexity level of humans, we would need to scale this complexity up about a million times.

There are currently three different ways that engineering is making the border between humans and robots more ambiguous. Unfortunately, these approaches are only starting points, and are not yet even close to the world of Blade Runner.

There are human-like robots built from scratch by assembling artificial sensors, motors and computers to resemble the human body and motion. However, extending the current human-like robot would not bring Blade Runner-style androids closer to humans, because every artificial component, such as sensors and motors, are still hopelessly primitive compared to their biological counterparts.

There is also cyborg technology, where the human body is enhanced with machines such as robotic limbs, wearable and implantable devices. This technology is similarly very far away from matching our own body parts.

Replicants have human-like abilities. (Sony Pictures)

Finally, there is the technology of genetic manipulation, where an organism’s genetic code is altered to modify that organism’s body. Although we have been able to identify and manipulate individual genes, we still have a limited understanding of how an entire human emerges from genetic code. As such, we don’t know the degree to which we can actually programme code to design everything we wish.

Soft robotics: a way forward?
But we might be able to move robotics closer to the world of Blade Runner by pursuing other technologies, and in particular by turning to nature for inspiration. The field of soft robotics is a good example. In the last decade or so, robotics researchers have been making considerable efforts to make robots soft, deformable, squishable and flexible.

This technology is inspired by the fact that 90% of the human body is made from soft substances such as skin, hair and tissues. This is because most of the fundamental functions in our body rely on soft parts that can change shape, from the heart and lungs pumping fluid around our body to the eye lenses generating signals from their movement. Cells even change shape to trigger division, self-healing and, ultimately, the evolution of the body.

The softness of our bodies is the origin of all their functionality needed to stay alive. So being able to build soft machines would at least bring us a step closer to the robotic world of Blade Runner. Some of the recent technological advances include artificial hearts made out of soft functional materials that are pumping fluid through deformation. Similarly, soft, wearable gloves can help make hand grasping stronger. And “epidermal electronics” has enabled us to tattoo electronic circuits onto our biological skins.

Softness is the keyword that brings humans and technologies closer together. Sensors, motors and computers are all of a sudden integrated into human bodies once they became soft, and the border between us and external devices becomes ambiguous, just like soft contact lenses became part of our eyes.

Nevertheless, the hardest challenge is how to make individual parts of a soft robot body physically adaptable by self-healing, growing and differentiating. After all, every part of a living organism is also alive in biological systems in order to make our bodies totally adaptable and evolvable, the function of which could make machines totally indistinguishable from ourselves.

It is impossible to predict when the robotic world of Blade Runner might arrive, and if it does it will probably be very far in the future. But as long as the desire to build machines indistinguishable from humans is there, the current trends of robotic revolution could make it possible to achieve that dream.

About Today's Contributor:
Fumiya Iida, Lecturer in mechatronics, University of Cambridge

This article was originally published on The Conversation. 

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