"Aliens Ate My Homework" Available on DVD, Digital and On Demand Soon

From Universal Pictures Home Entertainment: Aliens Ate My Homework

Unexpected extraterrestrial guests team up with a pair of middle schoolers to prevent the destruction of the planet in Aliens Ate My Homework, coming to DVD, Digital and On Demand on March 6, 2018, from Universal 1440 Entertainment, a production entity of Universal Pictures Home Entertainment. A humorous and suspenseful intergalactic adventure, Aliens Ate My Homework follows the whimsical members of the Galactic Patrol on the trail of an evil alien criminal hiding out on Earth.

Based on the first book in prolific author Bruce Coville's globally renowned "Galactic Patrol" series published by Aladdin Books, an imprint of Simon and Schuster Children's Publishing, Aliens Ate My Homework features the voice of two-time Emmy Award winner William Shatner ("Star Trek")  and comes from director Sean McNamara (The King's Daughter). The film also stars Jayden Greig (The Shape of Water), Lauren McNamara ("Summer of Dreams"), Kirsten Robek (The Edge of Seventeen), Dan Payne(Star Trek Beyond, Watchmen), Ty Consiglio (Wonder) and Alex Zahara ("The Man in the High Castle").

Aliens Ate My Homework is a suspenseful family comedy which follows the adventures of sixth-grader Rod Allbright (Greig) and the extraterrestrial lawmen known as the Galactic Patrol. When a tiny spaceship flies through his window and lands on his science project, Rod and his cousin Elspeth (McNamara) meet a group of friendly aliens, including Phil, a talking plant (voiced by William Shatner). The earthlings quickly join the aliens' adventurous mission to help defeat an evil alien criminal. After discovering the evil alien is disguised as a human - someone he knows all too well – Rod and Elspeth race to save the world from total planetary disaster.

"Aliens Ate My Homework" - The Book (image via brucecoville.com)

BONUS FEATURES on DVD and digital

• Not of This World: Creating Alien Life Forms – A look at creating some of the film's Alien characters, showcasing the work of Emmy-winning visual effects maestro Todd Masters and his creature effects team. Viewers will get a peek at what it takes to bring the creatures to life on-set through the magic of prosthetic make-up, as well as practical effects techniques like oversized sets and puppetry.
• Aliens Ate My Homework: From Page to Screen – This piece will give viewers a peek at the process of turning the novel into a film – from concept to production and visual effects. Featuring behind the scenes footage plus interviews with the cast, filmmakers, and author Bruce Coville.
• On the Set with Bruce Coville – The beloved author gives viewers a peek at life on the set of Aliens Ate My Homework while providing details on the origins of the Galactic Patrol book series.
• The Galactic Patrol Wants You! – A closer look at the members of the Galactic Patrol featuring Grakker, Madame Pong, Rod Allbright, Elspeth, and Phillogenous Esk Piemondum, aka Phil. In this featurette, the intrepid crew of the Starship Ferkel will reveal details on their current mission and will inform viewers on what it takes to become a member of the Galactic Patrol.

Aliens Ate My Homework will be available on DVD and Digital.

• DVD offers the flexibility and convenience of playing movies in more places, both at home and away.
• Digital lets fans watch movies anywhere on their favorite devices. Users can instantly stream or download.
• Movies Anywhere is the digital app that simplifies and enhances the digital movie collection and viewing experience by allowing consumers to access their favorite digital movies in one place when purchased or redeemed through participating digital retailers. Consumers can also redeem digital copy codes found in eligible Blu-ray and DVD disc packages from participating studios and stream or download them through Movies Anywhere. 

FILMMAKERS: 
Cast: Jayden Greig, Lauren McNamara, Kirsten Robek, Dan Payne, Alex Zahara, Ty Consiglio, Sean Quan, William Shatner, Tristan Risk
Casting By: Jackie Lind, CSAMusic By: Brandon Moore
Edited By: Tony Dean Smith 
Production Designer: Bob Bottieri
Director of Photography: Adam Sliwinski
Co-Producer: Todd Masters
Executive Producers: Harvey Kahn, Sean McNamara
Produced By: Roger Lay Jr. and Eric Carnagey 
Based on the book series 'Rod Allbirght Alien Adventures' by: Bruce Coville 
Screenplay By: Judith Reeves-Stevens & Garfield Reeves-Stevens
Directed By: Sean McNamara

TECHNICAL INFORMATION DVD:
Street Date: March 6, 2018
Copyright: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment
Selection Number: 63187246
Layers: DVD 9
Aspect Ratio: 1.78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen
Rating: PG for some rude humor, mild action and thematic elements
Languages/Subtitles: English SDH, French Canadian, French European, Latin American Spanish
Sound: English, French European, and Latin American Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1
Run Time: 1 hour, 29 minutes

SOURCE: Universal Pictures Home Entertainment

The Trailer:

Bonus Video:

Let's All Tell Trump: "We're With Haiti!" [Petition]

Donald Trump at it again! (Image via Avaaz.org)

Dear friends,

Trump just called Haiti a "shithole" and wondered why he'd want anyone from there, or African countries, to come to the US. 

It's exactly the kind of racism and division we've come to expect from Trump, so it's no surprise. But it doesn't mean we should accept it from anyone, especially the President of the United States. 

Let's stand up to this ignorant bully -- sign the letter below to say we stand with Haitians, and with everyone Trump insults and ignores on a regular basis. When a million of us sign, Avaaz will publish it in the Washington Post: 

>> Sign the letter below to tell Trump -- we're with Haiti <<

To Donald Trump:
We're with Haitians, with Salvadorans, with Puerto Ricans, Mexicans, and Nigerians. We're with people all over the world that you disparage out of ignorance or for political gain. From around the world we say that we are united against your hate. If anyone is not welcome, it's you.

Trump was discussing a deal that would include protections for immigrants brought to the US as children. "Why do we want people from Haiti here?" was the president's response. He said he'd rather have people from Norway than "all these people from shithole countries."  


Time and again history has shown us that we are better united. When leaders like Trump try to divide us by saying that one group is better than another, we need to stand up and decisively reject it as one people.
  
He's still going to be president, and he's still going to say whatever he wants. But at least we can make it clear to the people of Haiti and all other nations that Trump treats with utter contempt that we see them, that we're with them, and that we won’t let Trump normalize this kind of bullying: 

>> Click to tell Trump -- we're with Haiti <<

With hope, 

Loup Dargent

On behalf of Danny, Jenny and the entire Avaaz team 

MORE INFORMATION: 

• Trump alarms lawmakers with disparaging words for Haiti and Africa (New York Times) 
• Trump attacks protections for immigrants from ‘shithole’ countries (Washington Post) 

"Fade To Zilch, a Screenplay" - The Venus of Cyrene Meets the Hollywood Casting Couch

"Fade To Zilch, a screenplay" - Cover

Rising from the rabble of Hollywood stories to challenge the status quo, Fade To Zilch, a screenplay is a powerful contemporary drama, whose time has clearly come.

"No one is innocent … not in this town." Thus, begins a riveting drama that shines a bold and illuminating light into the darkest reaches of the human mind as Fade to Zilch takes readers behind the scenes of the fabulous theatrical world of Hollywood. Revel in this compelling work of social criticism as powerful movie moguls strive to embrace the source of their creativity, while struggling with their own psychological demons. Brimming with sexual intrigue, eye-widening spectacle, and a host of recognizable characters, this unsettling mystery sets a new standard of transcendence in postmodern literary fiction, made more accessible to a general audience through the "perspicuous windows" of cinema and dramatic arts.

Follow the footsteps of Dr. Joseph Metropolis—an unlikely Private Investigator—as he investigates The Lost Love of the Latest Tycoon, examining the provocative role of the muse, the intemperate impulses of the femme fatale, and the atrocious allure of the casting couch, while witnessing the fall of an empire that has become degenerate—devoid of artistic inspiration.

Based on the novel, The Unbearable Sadness of Zilch by Konrad Ventana, the drama is a stunning commentary on modernism, existentialism, male egotism, and the emergence of a radical new brand of feminism—the feminist provocateur. Fade to Zilch by F. Lewis Hall, is a story for the ages that lays bare the human heart as it presages current events.

Konrad Ventana/F. Lewis Hall (image via konradventana.com)

About the Author: 

F. Lewis Hall is an American writer, inventor, and some might say visionary who began his professional career on Sunset Boulevard. His award-winning Post-Lux Trilogy (postmodern, post-enlightenment stories), published under the pseudonym Konrad Ventana, illuminates three vital aspects of artistic creativity.

Encouraged by friends in the movie business to adapt his Hollywood Novel: The Unbearable Sadness of Zilch into a motion picture screenplay, the heart-wrenching drama, Fade to Zilch was painstakingly crafted. Alas, it did not receive a green-light at the time; and yet, it was recently re-discovered by professional book scouts—in light of recent Hollywood scandals and revealing current events.

"The Unbearable Sadness of Zilch" - cover artwork (image via konradventana.com)

SOURCE: Konrad Ventana

Bonus Videos:

Octavia Spencer Shares Her Most Treasured Moments Rising to Fame in the December/January Issue of AARP The Magazine

Octavia Spencer on the December/January Issue of AARP The Magazine

After years of struggles playing unnamed roles – clerk, waitress, bus driver, and woman in elevator – the now Oscar, Golden Globe and BAFTA Film Award-winning actress Octavia Spencer is making the most of her opportunities, but what she treasures the most are the experiences and bonds forged along her journey.

Starring in the new romantic fairy-tale, The Shape of Water, on the heels of her breakout roles in The Help and Hidden Figures, Spencer talks of the importance of experiences and relationships in a candid interview with AARP The Magazine (ATM). 

"If you're constantly chasing success, then you're not really living in the moment. Save money and go places. Do things…Trust me, I love working and getting to do what I do, but I had a lot more fun on the way up," says Spencer as she looks back fondly on the days when her friends were all short on money yet long on time. Close pals like Melissa McCarthy, Allison Janney and director Tate Taylor would join Spencer and other friends on a number of adventures. 

Now, no longer short on money, but short on time, she doesn't see them as often but they remain close and Spencer cherishes the times they can gather for dinners. "We just revel at the idea of getting to hang out for a night," says Spencer. Growing up as the sixth of seven children all raised by a single mother in Montgomery, Alabama, Spencer highlights that it's the company of her family that grounds her. "Until I get married, I'll always spend Christmas with my family in Alabama," says the actress.

Professionally, The Shape of Water, in which Spencer portrays the best friend of a woman who falls in love with a sea monster, is a marked departure for an actress who has repeatedly played people of that era struggling to assert their civil rights. 

Though the film is set in 1960s America in a mainly white workplace, Spencer's race is not mentioned. "As crazy as this will sound, that was quite refreshing for me, to not have to talk about my race," says Spencer.

Octavia Spencer (image via AARP The Magazine)

The following are excerpts from AARP The Magazine's December/January 2018 cover story featuring Octavia Spencer, available in homes starting December and available online now here.

Selections from Octavia Spencer's Cover Story in AARP The Magazine'sDecember/January Issue

⏩ On her new film, The Shape of Water:
"I knew I wanted to do it the minute my agent told me I would be meeting with Guillermo (Director Guillermo del Toro)," says Spencer. "I've been a fan of his for years. He is like the godfather of the horror genre, and I'm a huge horror fan."

⏩ On overcoming adversity:
Diagnosed with the learning disability dyslexia as a child, Spencer learned to cope by reading mystery novels. Spencer says, "My teacher told me, 'You have to pay attention to everything, because you don't know what is a clue,' " Spencer recalls. That gave her the motivation to decode every word. "That's how my brain processes information now," she says. "I can always tell people, 'This is what's about to happen. Connect the dots.' It's not like I'm psychic or anything—it's just all there in the details."

⏩ On being typecast:
"When I was 26, they were trying to give me 50-year-old parts," Spencer laughs. "As a woman of certain physical attributes, people would like to only see you in a couple of archetypes, like the nurturer nanny or the sassy woman."

⏩ On treasured moments while young, broke and struggling:
Spencer looks back fondly to the time when her friends were short on money but long on time: "On my first trip to New Orleans…one of our friends was a successful writer—it was Steven Rogers…and he kind of sponsored a writers' retreat for us all, because we were all writing things." Another time, about 20 friends shared a house in Laguna Beach, California, where they wrote during the day and cooked dinner together at night. "It was wonderful," Spencer says.

⏩ On being more mature and achieving success:
Spencer says, "When you are 20, you still care about what people think and how you're perceived. When you turn 30, you start to get an ownership of self. By the time you turn 40, you start to care less about how you're perceived, and you own your mistakes."

⏩ On how she spends her free time:
"When I see people who are happy and joyful and of a certain age, I know it's because they know the meaning of life," says Spencer. "It's about how you spend your time. It's not about chasing things on life's treadmill…it's about the people that are sitting around my table–my family, my nieces and nephews, my friends."

⏩ On friends and enduring relationships:
Says Spencer, "There are those people who love you stripes and all, and there are people who only love the idea of you. The ones who love the idea of you are there for you when you're successful. The people who love you stripes and all know that there are peaks and valleys to life. And they're going to be with you in the peaks and in the valleys."

⏩ On simple pleasures:
"My biggest indulgence is quiet time in front of the TV with a fire," says Spencer. "And I recently discovered Sangría. It's cheap wine with a lot of sweeteners."

⏩ On her admittedly dark sense of humor:
"I laugh at people falling down, as long as I know they are OK," says Spencer. "I'm that person."

⏩ On dating:
"I don't really like to talk about dating," says Spencer. "It's not easy dating anywhere, but definitely not easy dating in Hollywood. I don't know whether I'd call it 'fun.' It's very Interesting—let's just say that. "

⏩ On aging:
While traveling in Ireland, Spencer recalls "seeing all these women with platinum silver hair and there was something about them—they were all so beautiful. My friend said it's because they haven't done anything to their faces. They look like a real 50-year-old or 60-year-old…if you've got a laugh line, you've earned it. It means you're really happy. I'm fine with creases."

⏩ On holiday plans:
The company of Spencer's family grounds her: "I've always spent Christmas with my family," she says. "Until I get married, I'll always spend Christmas with my family in Alabama."

SOURCE: AARP

Octavia Spencer in "Hidden Figures" (image via LoupDargent.info)

Bonus Videos:

Octavia Spencer Related Articles:

• The Hasty Pudding Theatricals Announces Octavia Spencer as 2017 Woman of the Year
• Are Movies A Good Way To Learn History?

New Music Video From Beliefs Project Takes on White Nationalism, Divisive Politics, and Gun Control

Scenes from "In the Streets of Charlottesville" music video

"In the Streets of Charlottesville" is a new protest music video by multimedia artist/producer Jeff Burger, released on YouTube through the non-profit Beliefs Project he co-founded. 

The song provides savvy commentary on both the violence that turned the bucolic Virginia town into a hashtag, and the underlying themes continuing to tear at the whole nation. 

Based in Charlottesville, Burger was inspired by his community who has responded to hate with love, as echoed in the song's culminating lines: "Now we choose our destiny / unity through diversity."

"I wanted to give people everywhere the deeper story and a paradigm for navigating divisiveness and violence," Burger says. "The song is also helping locals heal open emotional wounds. Ultimately, it's about the urgent need to examine beliefs, and embrace inclusiveness and compassion societally."

Confederate monuments—flash points for white nationalism throughout the South—get their due: "Statues stood and glorified / the whips and chains of Dixie pride / All more troubling now because / they mixed it up with swastikas."

Burger also calls out presidential emboldening of white nationalism in the thinly veiled lines, "When leaders lack accountability / or even common civility / there's always someone else to blame / and the bully pulpit fanned the flames."

America's stalemate over gun violence isn't left off the hook: "Time's upon us we knew would come / when free speech marches with a gun / Amendments beg us what to do / to reconcile numbers one and two."

Burger's one-man production delivers insightful spoken word set to music dynamically evolving from the opening's sparse urban heartbeat and military snares into a full rock anthem finale. He orates in his natural Caucasian voice without pretense of white rap.

 "While I felt the message would be more powerful spoken than sung, an urban voice could be too easily dismissed as just angry and disenfranchised in this racially charged context. White introspection is critical to meaningful healing and progress."

The song reinforces such soul searching in candid lines like "Here's our chance to realize / we all hold our secret lies / Judge brothers for this, sisters for that / Time to take ourselves to the mat."

Burger's self-produced music video elevates the piece to multimedia storytelling art. Eschewing screen appearances, he enhances emotional impact by employing a seamless visual montage intimately reinforcing the lyrics' message.

Jeff Burger, creator "In the Streets of Charlottesville" and co-founder of Beliefs Project

About Jeff Burger and Beliefs Project:

Jeff Burger is co-founder of Beliefs Project, a non-profit transmedia project dedicated to the collective evolution of human consciousness. 

An ASCAP songwriter, he is also an accomplished professional in the music and media industries, with clients including Apple, Disney, and Paramount. He has served on the masthead of four music magazines including Electronic Musician and EQ, and penned six books and 500+ articles on media arts.

The Video:

The Lyrics:

In the Streets of Charlottesville

This is the place Heather died

Gave it all to stem the tides

Of anger and hate racing ‘cross the land

As men arrived with guns in hand

Yeah, here’s where they came with rage in their hearts

Here’s where they came to tear us apart

Dressed for war, spoiled for fights

Waving flags righter than right

In the streets of Charlottesville

Statues stood and glorified

Whips and chains of Dixie pride

All more troubling now becuz

They mixed it up with swastikas

After millions paid the ultimate cost

We won’t bring back the holocaust

A classic case of us versus them

Can’t we just live as women and men 

In the streets of Charlottesville

Stay home and pray or call hate out? 

Join the fray, shout down the shouts?

A stand for peace could still transpire

In pouring gas onto a fire 

When leaders lack accountability

Or even common civility

There’s always someone else to blame

And the bully pulpit fanned the flames 

In the streets of Charlottesville

Opening wounds we hoped to ignore

Our oldest issues came to fore

Festering here, simmering there 

Time to come clean, clear the air

Here’s our chance to realize

We all hold our secret lies

Judge brothers for this, sisters for that

Time to take ourselves to the mat

In the streets of Charlottesville

Over and over again we make our battlefields

Have we had enough pain to drop the swords and shields?

Can’t fight hate with hate or fear with fear 

Love’s the only way our children will see all their years

Time's upon us we knew would come

When free speech marches with a gun

Amendments beg us what to do

To reconcile numbers one and two

The man on the screen plays to our fears

Says you’ll lose what you hold dear

Are you left or are you right?

You must see life as black or white

In the streets of Charlottesville

Draw lines here, draw lines there

'Til what’s left are maps of despair

Time we get all blood is red

Time we say enough's been shed

Together we can turn the page

On hate, on anger, on rage

Now we choose our destiny

Unity through diversity

In the streets of Charlottesville...

Words and Music Copyright © 2017 Jeff Burger

"In the Streets of Charlottesville"  - Official video thumbnail

SOURCE: Beliefs Project

Related Articles:

• 'Trump And The Media – Year One': The New Yorker's Ryan Lizza On A Dizzying Political Year
• Video: CAIR Responds to Donald Trump's Anti-Muslim Retweets
• 14 Year Fox News Contributor Tobin Smith and Filmmaker Jen Senko Launch "FIGHT BACK AGAINST FOX NEWS" Crowdfunding Campaign to Publish Book "Fear & UnBalanced" & Distribute "The Brainwashing of My Dad" Documentary
• Charlottesville, Donald Trump, And The Dark Side Of American Populism 
• Donald Trump Has Just Been Hit Up in The Song Titled "Illegitimate President" From Del FunkBoy Music

Bonus Pictures:
(Courtesy of Trumpton)

See no Nazis, Hear no Nazis, Tweet no condemnation

The Leader

Mr Trump goes to Phoenix

"Dear Mr Trump..." - An Avaaz Open Letter

Donald Trump 

Dear friends,

Donald Trump just used his giant Twitter following to give the extremist far-right "Britain First" global glory, retweeting their Islamophobic, hate-filled videos. Then he smacked down Theresa May for criticising him!

Let’s show him his brand of dangerous bigotry has no place in our country.

⏩ Sign the open letter that is already exploding on the internet and share it widely 

When enough of us sign we'll push the government to cancel Trump’s state visit, and if they don’t, we’ll meet him with giant copies outside 10 Downing St and Buckingham Palace.

 The Open Letter:

Dear Mr. Trump,

This is not what greatness looks like. 

The world rejects your fear, hate-mongering, and bigotry. We reject your support for torture, your calls for murdering civilians, and your general encouragement of violence. We reject your denigration of women, Muslims, Mexicans, and millions of others who don’t look like you, talk like you, or pray to the same god as you.

Facing your fear we choose compassion. Hearing your despair we choose hope. Seeing your ignorance we choose understanding.

As citizens of the world, we stand united against your brand of division.

Sincerely,
Sign your name

⏩ Instead of dividing us, let's make Trump a force to bring us together, to fight for everything we love.

With hope,

Loup Dargent
On behalf of Bert, Alice, Christoph, and the whole Avaaz team.

Related Articles:

• Video: CAIR Responds to Donald Trump's Anti-Muslim Retweets 
• There's an Insidious Strategy Behind Donald Trump's Retweets
• Why 'Judeo-Christian Values' Are A Dog-Whistle Myth Peddled By The Far Right

Billie Piper Gets... Piping for Small Business Saturday UK 2017

Billie Piper helps bake cakes at her local favourite shop, The Cake House in London, as she partners with Amex to encourage people to go out and 'Shop Small' this Saturday. (PRNewsfoto/Small Business Saturday)

This weekend marks the fifth anniversary of Small Business Saturday, a day that shines a spotlight on all the amazing small and independent businesses across the country in this busy Christmas shopping period.

While at The Cake House, Billie Piper alongside the café owner, Lorenzo Khan helped out, baking and icing cakes to encourage everyone to get out there and support Small Business Saturday. 

Lorenzo has owned the café for over 15 years making it an integral part of the community in which Billie and many others live.

"I've been coming to The Cake House - daily! - since I moved to the area. I live locally and absolutely love the relationships with people in what feels like a village. I want my kids to know people in the community and be able to come into The Cake House and ask for their ridiculous desert requests! I come to The Cake House all the time and Lorenzo has managed to get my daily coffee order down from three shots to two which, in fairness, took quite some doing." 
Billie Piper

Billie Piper serves cakes at her local favourite shop, The Cake House in London, as she partners with Amex to encourage people to go out and 'Shop Small' this Saturday. (PRNewsfoto/Small Business Saturday)

Small Business Saturday sees thousands of small businesses all over the country take part every year since its inception. According to research undertaken by American Express, founder of Small Business Saturday, last year a total of over £717 million pounds was spent by shoppers on this particular day. 

⏩ 3,610 UK adults were polled by Toluna between 8pm on Saturday 3rd December 2016 and 8am on Monday 5th December 2016. 

 

Billie Piper helps owner Lorenzo Khan bake cakes at her local favourite shop, The Cake House in London, as she partners with Amex to encourage people to go out and 'Shop Small' this Saturday. (PRNewsfoto/Small Business Saturday)

Billie Piper partnered with American Express to celebrate the United Kingdom's thriving small independent businesses, such as The Cake House, to encourage shoppers to go out and 'shop small' this weekend.

"I was delighted when Amex asked me to help support this year's Small Business Saturday. They actually read about me talking about local businesses that I'm passionate about in my local press and decided to contact me to get involved. Independent retailers across the UK offer so much more to a community than just a shop - and that is something I really care about." 
Billie Piper

Q&A with Billie Piper: 

(Courtesy of Small Business Saturday)

Billie Piper with cakes... (PRNewsfoto/Small Business Saturday)

Q: Why do you think it’s important to support Small Business Saturday? 
A: “Because small businesses are amazing! They really are the unsung heroes of communities and the high street. When Amex approached me to support Small Business Saturday I jumped at the opportunity, I am a true believer in shopping small and local. Plus it’s Christmas, so if you want a gift that’s really special, then hunt around your local small businesses, especially this weekend. And that goes for food shopping too; small businesses are brilliant for advice and ideas on how to ‘do’ Christmas”. 

Q: Billie Piper Why did you choose to drop in to The Cake House ahead of Small Business Saturday? 
A: “I’ve been coming to The Cake House since I moved to the area. I’ve always loved local businesses that I can walk to, and when The Cake House opened, I was there like a flash. It’s so nice having Lorenzo in the area, he’s a total star and he makes a mean cake. His passion is so inspiring”. 

Q: Billie Piper Any dessert traditions for Christmas day? 
A: “Sherry trifle!” 

Q: Billie Piper Small Business Saturday is an initiative to encourage people to get out and shop small. What do you think independent retailers contribute to a local community? 
A: “Independent retailers who live & work locally, really are the glue that holds a community together. There’s a lovely vibe to Lorenzo’s. He says that his ‘mission’ was to make his business feel like it’s an extension of everyone’s living room and that’s 100% what he’s achieved, it’s so relaxed. My Mum goes there all the time too.” 

Q: Billie Piper What are your other favourite independent retailers? 
A: “There are so many that I love, particularly around my local community, but besides The Cake House & Lorenzo – there’s Frost on Bellenden Road in Peckham; a fantastic Mid-century furniture store which also specializes in art, antiques and utterly brilliant rarities and I always find a unique treasure there; and, Libreria in East London, an independent book store – it’s so beautifully set up, you can spend hours in there and find something truly beautiful”. 

Q: Billie Piper How do you think what you are doing will help to support Small Business Saturday? 
A: “Honestly I just hope that people think about all the brilliant small businesses out there. I hope that by working with AMEX as a Shop Small Ambassador, we can encourage people all over the UK to see that all these independent retailers offer so much more to a community that just being ‘a shop’. By supporting local, independent businesses - you’re investing in your local community which is brilliant”. 

Q: Billie Piper Have you started your Christmas shopping and what are the Billie Piper family Christmas traditions? 
A: “Yes I have actually. As for traditions, there’s always a proper prawn cocktail for starter on Christmas Day, and always the Queen’s Speech on telly – live, never recorded!” 

Q: Billie Piper If you could have your own independent retailer, what would it be? Where would it located? 
A: “A florist underneath my house has always been my dream!” 

Q: Billie Piper Are you working on any projects next year which you’d like to share? 
A:“I’m going to perform “Yerma” in New York, Spring of next year and after that I will direct and star in an independent film that I’ve also written, so that’s incredibly exciting”.  

Billie Piper as Rose Tyler in Doctor Who (image via LoupDargent.info)

About Billie Piper: 
Actress Billie Piper recently won six Best Actress Awards, including the highly prestigious Olivier Award for her phenomenally reviewed starring performance in the title role of Simon Stone's sold out adaptation of Yerma at The Young Vic. She is going with the production to The Armory in New York in Spring 2018.

She is much beloved from our television screens with highly celebrated performances in Showtime's Penny Dreadful, Doctor Who for the BBC, the Philip Pullman series of The Shadow of the North and The Ruby in the Smoke for the BBC.

About Small Business Saturday: 
Small Business Saturday is a grassroots initiative encouraging people to show their support for small businesses by shopping small.

First conceived by American Express in the U.S. in 2010, where it has become a key date in the shopping calendar, it has received widespread backing from numerous organisations and personalities.

Now in its fifth year in the UK, Small Business Saturday UK 2017 (2nd December) aims to build on the success of previous years.

As founder of Small Business Saturday in the U.S., American Express is principal supporter of the campaign in the UK, encouraging people to make the most of their small, local, independent shops and businesses.

Billie Piper helps bake cakes at her local favourite shop, The Cake House in London (PRNewsfoto/Small Business Saturday)

SOURCE: Small Business Saturday

Bonus Videos: